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S  WE  DI S  H  H I S  T  O  RIAN  . 


REMINISCENCES 


WILMINGTON, 


m 


FAMILIAR  VILLAGE  TALES, 


ANCIENT  AND  NEW. 


ELIZABETH    MONTGOMERY 


SECOND   EDITION. 


WILMINGTON,    DEL. 

JOHNSTON  &  BOGIA,  420  SHIPLEY  STREET. 

1872. 


FROM  THE   "OOMMEKOIAL  PRESS"  OF  JENKINS  &  ATKINSON, 

WILHINOTON,  DEL. 


F 


PUBLISHERS'   PREFACE. 


The  inquiring  mind  naturally  seeks  to  know  the  beginnings 
of  things. 

Therefore,  the  Author  of  the  mind,  who  knows  perfectly  its 
requirements,  in  becoming  also  the  Author  of  a  history  of  the 
universe,  for  the  use  of  man,  commences  it  with : — "In  the 
beginning." 

Do  not  these  facts  distinctly  convey  to  us  a  divine  intima- 
tion that  we  ought  to  treasure  up  the  j^ast  ? 

While  we  should  mark  well  the  current  "signs  of  the  times," 
we  should  also  keep  in  present  view  the  historic  past.  Be- 
cause it  is  out  of  that  past  that  the  present  has  sprung,  and 
from  thence  also  are  derived  the  lessons  of  history  and  exper- 
ience. 

It  was  from  considerations  like  these,  doubtless,  that  "The 
Reminisences  of  Wilmington"  were  originally  written. 

The  authoress,  a  lady  of  piety  and  intelligence,  in  this  vol- 
ume sought  to  open  a  vista  in  perpetuity,  reaching  into  the 
past  far  enough  and  wide  enough  to  enable  the  successive  in- 
habitants of  Wilmington,  henceforward,  to  look  back  upon  the 
early  scenes  in  the  eventful  history  of  their  beautiful  city, — 
those  first  beginnings  of  its  noble  present,  and  of  its  more 
promising  future. 

But  the  motives  that  originally  incited  to  the  production  of 
this  book,  are  now  equally  urgent  for  its  reproduction. 

It  is  a  book  of  permanent  value,  for  reasons  already  explained. 


iv  PUDLISTTERS'    PREFACE. 

It  is,  also,  as  a  glance  at  its  Contents  will  show,  a  work  that 
must  prove  highly  entertaining  to  young  and  old,  of  every 
class  and  walk  in  life.  Those  who  are  already  acquainted 
with  it,  will  want  to  possess  it.  And  thoBe  who  have  not  read 
it  hitherto,  will  find  in  it  charms  as  fresh  and  fascinating  as  if 
it  had  just  now  come  from  the  gifted  pen  of  its  authoress. 

That  the  book  is  of  marked  interest  and  value  is  clearly 
proven  by  the  fact,  that  since  it  has  become  rare — being  out  of 
print — fabulous  prices  have  been  offered  for  it  and  refused. 

Our  aim  is  now  to  bring  this  rare  volume  within  the  reach 
of  all;  and  no  one  should  permit  the  opportunity  to  pass 
without  putting  it  into  his  own  library,  for  safe  keeping  and 
convenient  reference. 


PREFACE. 


Having  delayed  so  long  to  write  you  the  promised  story  of 
other  times,  what  shall  I  tell  you  of  the  months  which  have 
insensibly  fleeted  away  ?  Will  it  suffice  to  say,  three  sheets 
of  paper  were  soon  filled  and  read  to  an  elderly  lady,  my  valued 
friend,  who  advised  the  story  onward,  and  in  a  few  brief  weeks 
"dust  to  dust  concludes  her  noblest  song  ?"  That  one  spared 
a  little  longer  has  amplified  the  narrative  from  the  tablet  of 
memory  gleaned  a  little  here  and  there,  by  sea  and  by  land, 
of  war  and  of  peace,  mingling  mirth  and  woe,  to  portray  vil- 
lage life  in  the  lights  and  shades  of  olden  days,  and  to  recount 
what  we  have  heard  and  known,  and  such  as  our  fathers  have 
told  us.  Much  care  has  been  taken  to  come  as  near  the  truth 
as  memory,  unaided  by  notes,  can  recall. 

My  lot  in  the  morn  of  life  was  to  while  away  hours  listening 
to  traditionary  lore,  that  sprinkled  my  pathway,  and  passed 
off  as  the  early  dew.  Ere  noon  the  verdure  faded,  and  gave 
place  to  other  views,  and  naught  was  left  but  a  train  of  yellow 
withered  leaves.  As  the  sun  grew  dim  to  me  beyond  the  wes- 
tern hills,  to  you  it  was  rising  in  eastern  grandeur,  gilding  your 
joyous  morn  of  childhood ;  and  in  turn  you  evinced  a  fondness 
for  such  legends ;  oft  would  you  cling  to  my  chair  and  entreat 
me  to  tell  you  a  story  of  old  time,  thus  awakening  my  ener- 
gies to  gather  the  fragments,  though  the  shades  of  evening 
were  falling.  Now  and  then  a  starry  light  would  shoot  across 
my  way,  and  brighten  up  some  old  relic  that  would  fill  the  mind 


vi  Preface. 

with  reminiscences  on  the  very  brink  of  oblivion,  and  turn  the 
thoughts  back  even  to  the  early  fathers  and  their  adventurous 
journeyings  o'er  the  trackless  ocean,  frono  the  icy  regions  of 
the  north  to  these  western  shores. 

On  the  spot  where  they  trod,  pitched  their  tents,  and  planted 
a  colony,  we  meditate  on  their  doings,  and  glory  in  our 
Swedish  ancestors,  not  as  mighty  men  of  renown,  but  as  the 
salt  of  the  earth  that  preserved  its  savor,  pioneers  of  the 
choice  spirits  who  to  the  red  men  proclaimed  peace,  and  said 
"we  have  come  to  do  you  good." 

Yon  old  edifice,  to  this  day  is  a  monument  of  their  good 
faith,  reared  in  a  wilderness  where  they  worshiped  the  God  of 
their  fathers ;  and  whence  the  glad  tidings  of  Gospel  light  first 
shone  on  the  benighted  sons  of  the  forest  by  whom  they  were 
encompassed. 

In  the  infancy  of  their  colony,  a  peculiar  people,  called 
Quakers,  mingled  with  them — distinct  in  their  tenets,  each 
adhering  to  their  own,  and  if  agreeing  to  differ  in  matters  of 
religion,  to  live  like  brethren,  somewhat  resembling  the  Apos- 
tolic age.  Though  their  possessions  were  not  held  in  common, 
they  shared  their  comforts  without  money  and  without  price. 
To  this  Christian  example  and  influence,  no  doubt,  the  com- 
munity owes  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  the  morality  and  good 
order  which  was  so  long  proverbial. 

More  recent  events  oft  intervene  with  respective  claims  to 
attention  ;  and  blending  those  as  they  present  themselves  may 
not  be  the  least  of  our  errors  to  the  nicely  fastidious,  for  we 
"take  no  note  of  time"  as  the  knell  of  departing  hours  hastens 
us  on,  but  ask  of  you  that  most  excellent  gift  of  charity,  and 
to  have  in  remembrance  that  "the  days  of  our  age  are  three 
score  and  ten  years,"  then  we  all  do  fade  as  a  leaf,  and  that 
these  sketches  are  from  the  memory  of  one   past    the    full 


Preface.  vii 

time  alloted ;  besides,  never,  no  never,  in  her  brighest  hour  had 
she  the  least  pretension  to  be  a  writer  of  stories.  Strange, 
that  on  the  verge  of  her  pilgrimage,  though  solicited  by  friends 
to  offer  the  public  a  little  volume,  she  should  comply,  being 
fully  conscious  of  its  defects,  and  of  the  propensity  to  criticise. 
But  even  such  must  own,  "with  me  it  is  a  small  matter  to  be 
judged  of  you,"  "when  the  Lord  is  at  hand,  and  will  make 
manifest  the  counsels  of  the  heart."  Keader,  though  thy  en- 
dowments be  of  the  highest  order,  the  frosts  of  seventy  winters 
will  silver  o'er  thy  locks  and  blight  thy  noble  powers ;  may  the 
benign  Giver  of  every  good  then  grant  thee,  yea,  even  thee,  so 
small  a  portion  that  thou  canst  do  likewise. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I 


Wilmington  and  its  Environs — Arrival — New  Zealander — A  Legend  of  Other 
Days — Prospect  Hill — Joshua  North,  Esq. — Confiscated  Estates — Dr.  Whar- 
ton— Brandywine  IMills — A  Voyage  to  New  York — General  Washington- 
Joseph  TatnaU,  Esq.,  -  -  -  -  -  -  17 

CHAPTER    II. 

Race  Banks — Waterfalls — Isaac  Kendall — Amusements — Cottage  of  A.  H. 
Rowan,  Esq. — Winter  Sports — A  Sad  Calamity — Crossing  the  Dam — Moon- 
light Party— Bold  Scenery— Tablet  Rock— Old  Snuff  Mill— Isaac  Jones, 
Esq. — Old  Barley  Mill — The  Brandy  wine — Floodgate — Rattlesnake  Run — 
Wild  Scenery— Freshets,  ......       26 

CHAPTER    III. 

Old  Paper  MiU — The  Original  Paper  Machine — Description  of  the  Mills,  Cot- 
tages, &c. — Picturesque  Scenery — Kentmere,  the  residence  of  Joshua  Gilpin, 
Esq. — Giant's  Footrock — Pic-Nic— Rokeby — Hagely — Jacob  Broom,  Esq. — 
Cotton  Mill — Rmns,  &c. — Lost  in  the  Wood — Messrs.  DuPont's  Improve- 
ments—Eleutherian  Mills — Explosion — Alarm — Change  of  Sceneiy — Fine 
Mansions — Gen.  Lafayette — Rockland — William  Young,  Esq. — Relics  of 
Gen.  Washington — J.  Brindley,  Esq. — Swedes,         ...  38 

CHAPTER    IV. 

King's  Road — Bancroft  Woodcock — Dr.  James  Tilton,  Sen.  —  Old  Letter — 
Cresar  A.  Rodney,  Esq. — Dutch  Dolly — Fine  Scenery — Col.  Townsend — Carl 
Cliristopher  Springer — Old  Cottage — J.  Springer — Introduction  to  the  Sixth 
Generation  of  his  Pastor,  -  -  .  -  .  54 

CHAPTER    V. 

Almshouse  Inmates— Of  High  Order — Mr.  B. — M.  Martcl— Mrs.  B.— Burnt 
March  25th,  1804 — Tamar  Way — Frederick  Craig— Mantua— Dehmiore 
Place — Col.  Davis— Tusculum — J.  M.  Broom,  Esq. — Dr.  Read — Dr.  Martin 
— Richardsons-Latimers-Swedish  Families-July  4th,  1794-Celebration,     G7 


X  Contents. 

CHAPTER'VI. 

Long  Ilook— Major  Jaquett.— Ilis  Father— Wliitcficld— Major  P.  J.  enters  the 
Army— Description— Visit  of  an  Old  Soldier— The  Avenue— Night  Walk — 
Blackbeard— The  Alarm— Sun-ender  to  Bull  Frogs— Solomon,  -  78 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Major  Jaquett— Battles— Brandywine— General  LaFayette— Bell  McClosky— 
Colonel  Hazlett— General  Smallwood— Guilford  C.  H.— General  Green- 
Camden  -Baron  deKalb— Delaware  Regiment — Singular  Incident — Virginia 
— Patriotic  Lady— Return— Joseph  Tatnall,  Esq. — Mrs.  Jaquett— Bennet 
—Lord  Cornwallis — Monckton  Park— George  Haines,j  Esq. —Robert  Mor- 
ris, Esq. — A  tkrilling  stoiy — Judge  Bedford  and  lady — Mysterious  events — 
Hays's  family — An  eventful  day— General  Washington,  President  of  the 
United  States— Eden  Park— P.  Bauduy,  Esq.,         -  -  -  86 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

English  Fleet— Panic — Hessians — Deserter— Battle  of  Brandywine— Tranhook — 
Fairfield — Old  Ferry— Swedish  Colonists— Rocks — Cave — Indian  Mounds— 
1812  War— Mud  Bulwark— Hon  J.  A.  Bayard— Peace — Note— Major 
Cass, 103 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Cemetery— Swede's  Church — Ancient  Customs — Rev.  Erick  Biorck — Rev.  Petrus 
Tranberg — Rev.  Israel  Acrelius,  Historian— Mi-.  Benzell — Rev.  Lawrence 
Girelius- His  Successors— Chapel— Old  Chm-ch  Dilapidated— Renovated,  HO 


CHAPTER    X. 

A  Ghost  Story— Esquimaux— Cemeteiy — Solemn  Fimeral— A  Sad  Accident— Dr. 
CapeUe— Adventures  of  a  French  Soldier— Dr.  Bayard,  -  -     122 


CHAPTER    XI. 

Sketch  of  Miss  Vining— Ex-President  Jefferson- Gen.  Lafayette — Duke  de  Li- 
ancourt — Duke  d'Orleans— Gov.  Dicldnson— John  VLuing,  Esq.— Mrs.  V.— 
Miss  V. — Visits  Philadelphia— Wm.  Henry  Vmiug- Decease  of  thi-ee  bro- 
tiiers— Miss  V. — Closing  Scene— Jane  Mauthrell — Mrs.  Curtz— Alice 
Hough,  -  - 133 


Contents.  xi 

CHAPTER    XII. 

Banks  of  the  Christiana — Melancholy  Catasti'ophe — Iiish  Trade — King's  Ships — 
Primitive  Customs — Packets — Capt.  J.  Foncb-ay — Capt.  Samuel  Bush — Mode 
of  Traveling — Steamboat — Wharves — Jonathan  Rumford,  Escj. — Eleazar 
McComb,  Esq. — James  Brian — Ship  Building — Thomas  Willing — Barney 
Harris — William  Woodcock,  -  -  -  -  -  142 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

A  Singular  Incident — Brig  Friday — Capt.  J.  M. — Prizes— Robert  Morris,  Esq. — 
Brig  Nancy — Capt  II.  Moutgomeiy — Sails  under  British  Colors — News  of 
Independence — Ai'ms  the  Brig — Invited  Guests — St.  Thomas's  hauls  down 
the  Flag — Hoists  the  first  American  Flag  in  a  Foreign  Port — Lauds  Ammu- 
nition and  Arms — Explosion — Lieut.  Weeks  Killed — Scuttling  a  Brig — Rais- 
ing Her — Cargo  arrives  Safe — Capt.  H.  M.  fell  in  1780,     -  -  151 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

A  Swedish  Minister — Catastrophe — Capt.  H.  Geddes — Shipwreck — A  Singular 
Incident— Solemn  Reflections— Capt.  S.  Lovering— Mr.  A  ,  a  British  Agent 
— Adventures  of  a  Lady — Anecdote  of  a  Sailor — Algerines — Captures- 
Cruelties — Bondage — Prisoners  Ransomed— Ai'rival-Capt.  Penrose — His 
Story — Remarks  on  their  Character,  -  -  -  -  161 

CHAPTER    XV. 

Journal — An  Ancient  Race — Dey  of  Algiers — Officers — Ceremony  of  Introduc- 
tion— Fast— Story  of  a  Turk — Tunis — Bey's  Palace— Swedish  Consul — Orna- 
ments— Slaves — Coffee  handed — Ancient  Carthage — Canal — Pieces  of  An- 
tiquity— Bey's  prediction  of  America — Costume — Adventures  of  a  Female 
— Coasting  Trade— Captain  Cuffee,      -  -  -  -  -        1 72 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

Visitations  of  the  Yellow  Fever— Every  House  Crowded — Ship  on  Fire — Its  fiist 
appearance  here  as  an  Ej)idemic — In  17!)8 — Intense  Alarm — Death  of  Citi- 
zens— Touching  Scenes — A  few  Philanthropists — J.  Miller — James  Lea — 
John  FeiTis- Dr.  Vaughan,  -  -  -  -  -  181 

CHAPTER    XVII. 

Walnut  Street— Old  Trees— Amusements— Fairs — Folly  Lane— Anecdote- Dr. 
David  Bush— R.  M.,  Esq.,— D.  E.  N.  B  —Gov.  M'Kcau— Separation— Ad- 
ventures of  a  Young  Lady,  -  -  -  -  -  1 88 


xii  CONTENTH. 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 
If 

Mothodist  Mcelinij;-liouse— John  Tliclwell — Stone  Meeting-house — A  Noted  Law. 

yer — White  Hall — Vamlever's  Island — Old  Swedes'  Cemetery~liemembraijces 

of  the  dead,  .......  104 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

French  Street— Mrs.  Way— 1.  H.— Capt.  E  Brown— Allen  McLane,  Esq  — T. 
Stapler,  Esq. — School — Gov.  McKinlej^ — Town  Taken — Anecdotes — Escape 
of  Capt.  M.  and  Cai)t.  K — Fleet— A  Yoiuig  Lady — De  Som'ci — Monsieur 
Garesche — Betty  Jackson — Change  in  Sceneiy — Old  Mansions,        -        205 


CHAPTER    XX. 

King  Street — Capt.  Giles — A  thrilling  story — Gilpins — Anecdote — Mrs.  Wallace 
—Eli  Mendeuhall— Capt.  Jeffries— William  Cook— Trinity  Chapel— Dr.  E. 
A.  Smith's  family — Capt  J.  Nicholson,  ....  217 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

other  days — Mr.  Crip's  Pottery — Sad  Licident — J.  Keating,  Esq. — Peter  Proven- 
chere,  Esq. — Affecting  Incidents — Messrs.  Hilles — J.  Maule — BoardiHg 
School — Baptist  Cemetery — Potter's  Field — Story  of  the  Water  Works,    225 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

Market  Street  Bridge —Dr.  Monroe — Iklrs.  D. — An  Adventure — Bank — Dr.  Pascal 
— J.  Spiinger — J. .  Brobson — Hotel — Sailor's  Exploit — Smoke  House — J. 
Webster — Post  Office— J.  NUes— David  Bush,  Esq.— Major  Lewis  Bush — 
Indian  Queen,  .......  232 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

Peter  Brynberg — Book  Store — Old  Bank — Printing  Office — Robert  Hamilton, 
Esq. — Adventure  of  Mons.  Bergerac — The  Dawes  Family — Gen.  Stockton 
—Job  Harvey— Town  Hall— Mchael  Wolfe,  -  -  -  238 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

Abijah  Dawes— Fi-ench  Araiy — Gunning  Bedford,  Esq. — Dr.  Franklin— Dr. 
McKinley — Governor  Dickmson — John  Rumsey,  Esq. — Old  Academy — Its 
changes — Professor  Patterson — Fimeral  Procession — Old  Presbyterian 
Church  and  Cemeterj',  ......  245 


Contents.  xiii 

CHAPTER    XXV. 

Front  street  west  of  Market — Eleazar  McComb,  Esq. — Francis  Way — Major 
Patten,  --.--...  255 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

Shipley  Street — Wm.  Jones~Up  Second  Street — Sheward's  Brewery — Tan  Yard 
— Z.  Ferris— Cold  Bath— In  Shipley  Street— Dr.  Nicholas  Way— Post  Office 
— Ziba  Ferris,  Sen.— The  Maid  of  Erin— A  Tale  of  Other  I^ys         -      257 

CHAPTER    XXVII. 

School — Henry  Pepper — Wm.  Cobbctt— St.  Andrew's  Chiu"ch — Billy  McDougall 
— Dr.  Gibbons — College — M.  Bradford — VVoman  in  a  Y/ell — -John  Bull — 
Boarding  School — Caleb  Seal — St.  Peter's  Chui'ch — Sisters  of  Charity — 
Friends'  Meeting  House — Cemetery — School,  ...  266 

CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

A  Legend  of  the  Revolution — D.  D.  B. — Gen.  Robertdeau — Miss  V.'s  visit — 
Marriage — Seclusion — D.  D.  B.  enters  His  Majesty's  Service — Mysterious 
news — A  Perilous  Journey,  .....  275 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 

The  Hermit — Recruiting  Party — Evening  Mists — Village — Tavern— Gen.  Green 
— Secures  Her  Passage — Recognition — Dr.  B. — Retreat — Susy — The  Meetmg 
—Reconciliation— Dr.  S  —The  Parting— A  Ride— Baggage  Wagon— New 
York— Crosses  to  New  Jersey,  .....  282 

CHAPTER    XXX. 

Safely  Landed— Meeting  her  Infant— Captam  L.  hastens  her  on— Contempt  of 
the  Officers— Unsightly  Dress  — Apologies— Prosperous  Voyage— Joyful 
Mceting—Charieston— Noble  Lords— Royalty  Triumphs— Anecdotes— Rebels 
Revive— Gen.  Green— Sails  to  Nova  Scotia— Their  Arrival— Gloomy  Scenes 
—Usefulness— Visit  to  the  Barracks,  ....  28D 

CHAPTER    XXXI. 

A  fortnight  passed— Resolution— Mrs.  B.  studies  medicine— Coarse  fare— Dis- 
content— Stores  arrive — Energy — Popularity— Amusing  incidents— Improve- 
ments—News  from  London— Sails  for  Boston— Explores  the  States— Wil- 
mington selected— Black  oak  bark  exported— Death  of  Dr.  B  — Mrs.  B.'s 
residence  in  Virginia — Devoted  to  Slaves,  .  _  .  300 


EEimElCIS  OF  f  Mmoi. 


REMINISCENCES 


OF 


WILMINGTON. 


CHAPTER    I. 


WilmiDgton  and  its  Environs — Arrival — New  Zealander — A  Legend  of  Other 
Days — Prospect  Hill — Joshua  North,  Esq. — Confiscated  Estates — Dr.  Whar- 
ton— BrandjTvine  Mills — A  Voyage  to  New  York — General  Washington — 
Joseph  Tatnall,  Esq. 

Of  all  the  towns  that  I  have  seen,  none  appears  to  me  more  plea- 
santly located  than  Wilmington ;  nor  to  possess  greater  advantages 
for  an  agreeable  residence.  If  this  be  prejudice  of  opinion,  it  arises 
from  habits  of  early  affection  ;  for  there  is  an  attraction  in  the  name 
of  birthplace,  home  of  our  childhood  and  youthful  associations,  when 
the  rays  of  life's  morning  sun  brightened  all  our  prospects,  and  even 
the  spot  is  hallowed  that  has  been  bedewed  by  the  tears  of  sorrow,  as 
the  last  earthly  resting-place  of  a  beloved  parent.  This  feeling  must 
be  the  gift  of  our  great  Creator,  or  how  could  the  Laplander  relish 
his  coarse  fare,  and  with  gratitude  thank  his  Maker  for  his  icy  region 
and  long  dreary  nights  as  the  favored  spot  of  Heaven  ? 

In  giving  you  a  description  of  this  pretty  town,  as  I  have  chosen 
to  call  it,  I  may  indulge  a  little,  yet  will  strive  to  keep  to  the  truth ; 
hoping  that  ere  long  you  may  come  here  and  see  whether  these  things 
are  really  so.  There  will  be  added  some  reminiscences  of  olden  times, 
connected  with  the  early  settleraeut  of  this  place,  and  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  &c.,  as  these  were  related  to  me  by  my  venerated  grand- 
3  17 


18  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

father  and  other  worthies,  now  silent  in  the  grave,  with  more  recent 
events  of  my  own  day.  Such  a  variety  of  subjects  cannot  easily  be 
arranged  in  order ;  and  no  doubt  some  incidents  will  be  disposed  in 
bad  taste.     I  shall  write  them  down  as  they  occur  to  my  memory. 

Wilmington  is  surrounded,  one  half  by  a  rolling  country,  the 
other  half  by  water;  it  stands  on  rising  ground,  gradually  sloping  to 
its  watery  bounds  ;  thence  for  miles  it  is  skirted  by  beautiful  meadows, 
with  an  extensive  view  of  the  noble  river  Delaware,  on  the  east,  and 
its  tributary  streams,  fancifully  winding  through  those  meadows, 
stretching  their  courses  past  the  town,  where  a  drawbridge  is  thrown 
across  the  Christiana  to  let  small  vessels  through,  as  it  is  navigable 
four  miles  beyond. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Brandywine  takes  its  course  to  the  mills, 
where  vessels  stop.  There  is  a  bridge  connecting  the  flourishing  vil- 
lage of  Brandywine  with  Wilmington ;  also  a  drawbridge  a  little 
below,  for  vessels  to  pass  through,  and  for  the  railroad. 

This  is  a  romantic  stream,  long  celebrated  in  story,  and  takes  its 
name  from  the  loss  of  a  vessel  at  its  entrance,  laden  with  brandy  and 
wine.  It  winds  its  way  for  a  great  distance,  and  gives  water  power  to 
many  factories,  as  it  descends  from  its  source.  The  distance  from  one 
bridge  to  the  other  is  a  little  more  than  a  mile,  in  a  direction  nearly 
north  and  south. 

You  can  see  all  the  shipping  passing ;  some  floating  down,  heavy 
laden  with  our  country's  produce  going  to  distant  lands  to  reward  the 
farmer  for  his  toil ;  and  though  you  must  rejoice  in  the  success  of 
your  neighbor,  and  the  prosperity  of  your  country,  your  heart  will 
sadden  at  the  thought  of  how  many  loved  ones  there  have  never,  no, 
never  returned. 

This  town  bears  a  sad  remembrance  of  disasters  at  sea.  Many  of 
our  youth,  the  hope  of  their  parents,  ah  !  and  some  reckless  ones  too, 
sailed  from  here,  with  a  fair  breeze  and  light  heart,  and  found  a 
watery  grave  in  the  ocean ;  and  the  fate  of  some  was  never  known. 
Yes,  and  many  in  the  prime  of  life  left  widows  and  orphans  to  mourn 
their  sorrowful  bereavement.  The  hoary-headed  sire,  too,  who  had 
braved  the  perilous  ocean,  and  had  his  hair  breadth  escapes,  and 
almost  attained  his  three  score  and  ten  years,  resolved  to  go  but  once 
more,  went  that  once,  and  so  ended  his  voyage  of  life ;  the  places  that 
knew  him  once  know  him  no  more. 

"  They  that  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  that  do  business  in  great 
waters,  see  the  works  of  the  Lord  and  his  wonders  in  the  deep." 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  19 

Here,  the  view  on  the  other  hand  changes  the  scene ;  every  thing 
here  looks  cheerful.  See  the  fleet  of  vessels,  large  and  small,  under 
full  sail,  returning  from  foreign  lands,  laden  with  the  luxuries  of  life 
to  enrich  the  merchant,  and  gladden  many  an  anxious  heart!  With 
a  good  spy-glass,  you  can  read  the  name  of  that  ship,  and  see  the  men 
on  board.  How  briskly  they  move  about,  and  how  joyously,  so  near 
their  destined  haven !  In  an  hour  or  two,  they  will  have  the  inex- 
pressible happiness  of  embracing  their  long  absent  friends. 

The  three  vessels  you  see  close  to  the  shore  enter  the  Christiana ;  they 
sail  down,  then  turn  gracefully  round,  and  sail  up.  Two  of  them  are  side 
by  side,  taking  the  same  course.  The  small  one  slips  into  the  Brandy- 
wine,  and  now  they  part,  one  to  the  right,  and  the  other  to  the  left. 

Does  not  this  remind  you  of  the  interesting  story  of  the  good  old 
patriarch  Abraham,  whose  exemplary  conduct  with  his  kinsman.  Lot, 
was  so  striking  ?  When  their  herdsmen  differed  about  the  pasture,  he 
affectionately  said,  "  Let  there  be  no  strife,  I  pray  thee,  between  me 
and  thee,  and  between  thy  herdsman  and  my  herdsman  ;  for  we  be 
brethren.  Is  not  the  whole  land  before  us  ?  You  take  either  the 
right  or  the  left."  Lot  chose  the  well-watered  plains  of  Jordan, 
which  now  seem  before  you  ;  for  here  are  flocks  and  herds  in  rich 
pasture,  well-watered  ;  their  fields  of  waving  grain,  promising  the 
husbandman  a  golden  harvest ;  meandering  streams  ;  vessels  under 
full  sail ;  steamboats  plying  ;  railroad  cars  whizzing  past ;  and  all  this 
you  can  see  at  one  glance. 

Before  we  leave  this  view,  I  will  describe  to  you  an  exciting  scene 
which  occurred  here  a  few  years  ago.  A  cannon  was  fired  opposite 
the  town  from  a  ship  under  full  sail.  She  "  rounded  to"  into  the 
creek  ;  then  the  spy-glasses  were  drawn  out.  They  saw  she  was  a 
dark,  dirty-looking  ship ;  but  soon  discovered  that  she  had  many  a 
light  heart  on  board,  and  plenty  of  oil,  to  give  light  to  our  dwellings. 
The  sails  were  lowering  (for,  unless  the  tide  is  high  and  the  wind  low, 
heavy  laden  vessels  cannot  pass  the  bar  at  the  entrance),  the  steamboat 
was  going  down  to  tow  her  up.  It  was  a  whale  ship  that  had  been 
absent  three  years.  Now  the  boys  halloo  "  A  whale  ship."  This  cry 
was  echoed  through  the  town,  and  the  people  ran  from  every  direction. 
You  would  have  thought  they  came  from  the  Rocky  Mountains,  where 
a  vessel  had  never  been  seen. 

On  her  arrival  at  the  wharf,  they  crowded  on  board,  and  such  a 
cheering!  It  was  indeed  a  merry  day;  for  many  prodigal  sons  had 
returned  who  had  been  to  a  far  country,  and  fed  upon  husks,  and  had 


20  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

often  sighed  for  their  father's  house,  where  there  was  bread  enough 
and  to  spare.  This  was  a  temperance  ship,  and  they  had  been  sent  by 
their  friends,  on  the  long  hazardous  voyage,  in  hopes  to  correct  their 
evil  habits,  and  had  arrived  safe  and  well,  with  good  resolutions  to 
amend  their  lives,  were  met  by  their  affectionate  relatives,  rejoicing 
that  their  sons  who  had  been  lost  were  found,  and  the  dead  were  alive 
again ;  and  now  the  fatted  calf  was  to  be  killed  to  make  merry  with 
their  companions. 

A  quantity  of  beautiful  shells,  and  whalebone,  was  brought  in  this 
ship  ;  one  piece  I  saw  from  the  bone  of  a  whale  that  reached  from  the 
floor  to  the  ceiling,  of  the  breadth  of  two  hands,  turned  at  the  ends 
and  fringed  like  a  feather,  and  highly  polished. 

One  man  on  board  attracted  much  notice ;  he  was  stout,  thick  set, 
with  straight  black  hair,  and  Indian  feathers,  his  complexion  of 
darker  hue ;  he  was  from  New  Zealand,  and  a  sprig  of  royalty,  too, 
the  son  of  a  prince.  But,  0,  shocking !  he  was  a  cannibal,  and  owned 
he  had  eaten  human  flesh :  now  he  abhorred  the  thought  that  it  should 
be  known ;  his  family  opposed  his  coming  here,  and  said  the  Ameri- 
cans made  slaves  of  every  one  that  came  to  their  country.  But  this 
did  not  deter  him ;  he  behaved  well  on  board,  made  a  good  sailor,  and 
was  kindly  treated  by  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  ship. 

Many  little  presents  were  given  him  in  town,  such  as  tools,  knives, 
beads,  &c.  Mr.  L.  gave  him  a  silver  dart,  the  length  of  your  finger, 
with  his  name  inscribed  thereon.  This  he  called  his  little  harpoon, 
and  was  much  pleased.  Silver  was  more  precious  with  him  than  gold. 
When  the  locomotive  appeared,  he  danced  and  clapped  his  hands  in 
ecstasy ;  but  the  steamboat  was  his  delight ;  whenever  it  arrived,  he 
left  everything,  ran  and  threw  himself  flat  on  the  wharf  to  examine 
the  wheels,  laughed  and  jumped,  and  said  the  people  of  his  country 
would  never  believe  him  when  he  should  tell  them  what  he  had  seen. 

Two  years  after  he  left  here,  he  returned  ;  Mrs.  and  Miss  Lovering 
were  sitting  in  the  parlor,  in  the  same  position  where  he  had  taken 
leave  of  them  ;  he  entered  with  a  handkerchief  full  of  beautiful  shells, 
and  threw  them  down  at  the  old  lady's  feet,  saying,  "  For  mother — 
give  son  some,"  (the  gentleman  who  gave  him  the  dart).  Their  lan- 
guage has  but  few  words  to  express  their  ideas,  but  he  was  grateful ; 
they  gave  him  a  box  of  little  articles  to  take  home.  He  was  now 
dressed  like  a  gentleman,  with  his  gold  watch  and  gold  chain  around 
his  neck,  and  he  said  he  intended  to  build  himself  a  house  when  he 
returned  home,  and  live  no  longer  in  a  bark  coop. 


Beminiscences  of  Wilmington.  21 

Now  turn  a  little  to  the  north.  There  is  a  fine  view  of  the  "  Shell- 
pot  hills,"  partly  topped  with  handsome  trees ;  at  the  foot  is  the  little 
gently  flowing  stream  that  bears  the  same  name,  paying  its  tribute  to 
the  Delaware. 

In  days  gone  by,  near  this  spot  lived  a  respectable  farmer,  who  had 
a  very  pretty  daughter,  one  of  the  belles  of  her  day ;  she  had  many 
admirers,  but  rejected  their  offers,  although  some  of  them  were  unex- 
ceptionable. A  son  of  a  neighboring  farmer  now  paid  his  visits  to 
the  mansion  ;  and  though  there  were  no  cliques  at  this  day,  respectable 
people  all  visiting  each  other,  yet  in  the  case  of  marriage  connection 
there  was  often  opposition  from  pride  of  family.  Such  was  the  feeling 
here.  The  father  expressed  his  disapprobation  to  his  daughter,  who 
was  amazed  at  the  father  to  suppose  he  was  admitted  as  a  lover. 

However,  his  visits  were  continued,  and  the  old  gentleman  remon- 
strated again,  and  again  was  re-assured  that  all  was  imagination  ;  yet 
he  felt  uneasy,  and  pressed  the  subject  further,  when  the  young  lady 
became  angry,  and  in  a  passion,  wished,  if  ever  such  an  event  should 
happen,  the  devil  would  take  her  off;  hoped  that  her  father  would  now 
feel  at  ease,  and  never  renew  the  subject. 

Time  passed  on,  and  perseverance  in  the  farmer's  son  overcame 
the  young  lady's  scruples ;  the  high-minded  father  had  to  submit ; 
arrangements  were  made  for  the  wedding  ;  the  guests  had  assembled  ; 
the  minister,  Mr.  Girelius,  with  the  bridal  party,  were  standing  on  the 
floor  to  perform  the  ceremony,  when,  O,  sad  to  relate,  the  lady,  pale 
and  trembling,  with  distorted  features,  exclaimed  aloud,  "  There  he 
comes !"  clapped  her  hands,  turned  around,  and  fell  on  the  floor  a 
lifeless  corpse.  What  an  awful  change  of  scene ;  one  moment  dresoed 
in  her  bridal  robes,  the  next  shrouded  for  the  grave  ! 

An  old  lady  who  was  present  justly  observed  to  a  friend  of  mine 
in  speaking  of  it  years  since,  it  could  only  be  felt  by  the  persons  who 
witnessed  it,  and  never  be  described.  It  was  supposed  that  her  feel- 
ings became  so  excited  at  the  recollection  of  her  rash  speech  as  to 
bring  on  a  spasm,  which  caused  her  sudden  death. 

This  is  one  of  many  warnings  that  might  be  given  to  young  per- 
sons, to  guard  against  rash  wishes  or  promises.  But  we  have  one 
recorded  in  Scripture  that  ought  to  be  all  sufficient.  Jeptha's  rash 
vow,  "  that  if  the  Lord  would  deliver  his  enemies  into  his  hands,  and 
let  him  return,  in  peace,  whatsoever  came  forth  from  the  doors  of  his 
house  to  meet  him  should  be  offered  up  a  burnt  offering  to  the  Lord," 
behold  his  daughter  came  to  meet  him  with  timbrels  and  dances ;  she 
3* 


22  Reminiscences  of   Wilmington. 

was  his  only  child ;  when  he  saw  her,  he  rent  his  clothes,  and  said, 
"Alas,  my  daughter,  thou  hast  brought  me  very  low." 

The  house  you  see  opposite  is  called  Prospect  Hill  ;  it  formerly 
belonged  to  Joshua  North,  Esq.,  a  wealthy  and  respectable  man,  but  a 
very  active  Tory  in  the  Revolution,  who  was  obliged  leave  the  country. 
His  property  was  confiscated,  as  were  many  valuable  estates  on  the 
river  shore,  owned  by  simple-hearted  men,  who  really  did  no  harm  ; 
but  being  exposed  to  the  enemy,  who  took  their  cattle  by  force,  yet 
paid  for  them,  receiving  the  pay  was  their  only  crime,  when  he  so 
guilty  persuaded  those  their  lives  were  in  danger  to  escape  with  him  ; 
they  went,  leaving  their  families  to  be  deprived  of  their  estates. 

This  was  the  case  of  Jacob  Derrickson,  a  wealthy  farmer,  whose 
ancestor  was  one  of  the  Swedish  colonists,  and  proverbial  for  his 
active  benevolence.  He  never  gave  the  poor  man  the  crumbs  from 
his  table,  but  shared  with  a  bounteous  hand  the  choicest  product  of 
his  farm,  while  his  house  was  the  stranger's  home  ;  his  good  deeds 
were  still  in  remembrance,  and  the  sympathy  of  the  people  expressed 
for  his  son.  Gen.  Washington  kindly  sent  for  him  to  return,  but  it 
then  was  too  late.     His  descendants  are  yet  here. 

Doctor  Wharton  lived  there  for  many  years.  He  was  a  gentleman 
of  great  literary  attainments,  educated  for  a  Roman  Catholic  priest ; 
officiated  in  his  profession  for  years ;  he  then  recanted,  entered  the 
Episcopal  Church,  and  succeeded  Mr.  Girelius,  the  last  Swedish  cler- 
gyman. After  some  time  he  removed  to  Burlington,  N.  J.,  where  he 
was  an  acceptable  minister  until  called  away  by  death,  lamented  as  a 
scholar  of  the  highest  order,  and  an  estimable  man. 

The  next  high  point  of  land  is  Mrs.  Elliott's  ;  from  her  portico 
you  can  see  "  Fort  Delaware,"  twenty  miles  below,  and  with  a  good 
spy-glass  see  the  men  at  work,  and  how  they  are  occupied.  This 
family  are  of  olden  days,  respectable  farmers. 

We  will  now  take  a  view  of  the  Brandywine  Mills,  and  say  some- 
thing of  their  past  and  present  history,  and  of  their  original  proprie- 
tors. These  mills,  like  the  stream  that  sets  them  in  motion,  are  of 
great  notoriety,  and  have  run  unrivaled  in  the  full  tide  of  their  glory 
for  the  greater  part  of  a  century.  Recently,  they  have  been  shaded 
by  those  of  greater  magnitude  and  more  modern  structure  ;  yet  it  is 
doubtful  whether  they  have  been  rivaled  in  business  ;  certainly  not  in 
their  exports  of  corn  meal.  The  situation  is  so  accessible  by  water 
that  vessels  can  unload  and  re-load  at  their  doors. 

The  first  mill  was   built  above   the   bridge,  near  the   northwest 


REMimSCENCES    OF   WILMINGTON.  23 

corner  of  the  city  bounds,  by  Oliver  Canby,  whose  descendants  con- 
tinued this  business  until  very  lately  with  great  success  and  respecta- 
bility. Samuel  Canby  was  one  of  our  most  respectable  and  wealthy 
citizens  ;  we  often  admired  his  erect  and  stately  figure  even  to  old  age, 
when  he  died  leaving  to  his  heirs  a  reputation  of  more  real  value  than 
his  wealth. 

William  Canby  was  an  example  for  honesty  and  benevolence,  a 
truly  religious  man.  His  character  cannot,  we  think,  be  better  por- 
trayed than  in  the  words  of  the  prophet:  "  I  am  old  and  grey-headed  ; 
have  walked  before  you  from  my  childhood  unto  this  day  ;  behold 
here  I  am  ;  witness  against  me  before  the  Lord."  "  Whose  ox  have  I 
taken  ?  or  whom  have  I  defrauded  ?  Whom  have  I  oppressed  ?  and  I 
will  restore  it  you."  And  they  said,  "  Thou  hast  not  defrauded  us, 
nor  oppressed  us."  And  he  said,  "  The  Lord  is  witness  this  day  that 
ye  have  not  found  aught  in  my  hand."  They  answered,  "  He  is 
witness." 

Thomas  Shipley  built  the  first  mill  below  the  bridge,  then  two 
others.  The  first  one  is  now  owned  by  the  city,  and  used  for  pumping 
up  water  to  supply  the  inhabitants.  He  was  the  ancestor  of  a  very 
respectable  family  here ;  one  of  whom  lately  declined  the  business. 
His  grandson,  Samuel  Shipley,  sold  one  of  the  mills  within  a  few  years, 
the  building  of  which  and  digging  the  race,  exclusive  of  much  labor 
done  by  persons  in  his  employ,  cost  just  two  thousand  pounds.  One 
of  the  grandsons  is  now  a  partner  in  the  extensive  commercial  house 
in  Liverpool  of  Brown,  Shipley  &  Co. 

There  are  at  present  thirteen  mills  in  operation.  These,  with  the 
mechanics  employed,  make  Brandywine  a  busy  place.  Formerly  the 
wheat  was  conveyed  in  buckets  to  the  upper  stories.  Then  Oliver 
Evans'  machinery  was  introduced. 

This  reminds  me  of  an  anecdote.  On  the  day  the  cars  commenced 
running  from  Wilmington,  there  was  some  excitement,  and  I  met  an 
old  gentleman  in  the  street  in  high  glee,  who  stopped  me,  and  said  he 
remembered  when  a  boy  listening  to  Oliver  Evans  telling  his  fiither 
the  time  was  not  far  off  when  it  would  be  only  a  day's  journey  from 
Philadelphia  to  Baltimore,  and  that  carriages  would  be  invented  to  go 
without  horses.  This  his  father  thought  so  preposterous,  he  clapped 
him  on  the  shoulder  and  said,  "  Why,  Oliver,  I  always  thought  thy 
brain  was  a  little  cracked,  now  I  know  it ;  farewell." 

The  lots  where  the  mills  stand,  on  this  side  the  creek,  were  pur- 
chased of  my  grandfather  Peterson,  who  owned  the  first  vessels  that 


24  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

carried  flour  to  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  A  contract  to  that 
effect  was  made  with  the  miller  at  the  time  of  the  purchase ;  and 
although  it  may  be  traveling  a  little  out  of  the  way,  I  will  give  you  a 
sketch  of  the  habits  of  those  early  days,  as  it  comes  in  place  here. 

The  journey  to  New  York  was  so  great  an  undertaking  that  few 
persons  attempted  it,  and  those  were  thought  travelers.  My  grand- 
father's business  often  required  his  attention  there.  On  his  return, 
crowds  of  villagers  would  come  to  hear  the  news,  and  of  the  wonders 
he  had  seen  in  that  astonishing  city.  On  one  of  his  visits  to  Mr. 
Rutger's,  a  wealthy  brewer  of  that  day,  and  whose  descendants  now 
have  large  possessions  there,  after  settling  their  accounts,  grandfather 
djned  with  him,  and  was  an  invited  guest  to  a  bridal  supper,  given  to 
his  daughter  on  her  return  from  a  journey  that  evening. 

As  the  vessel  was  to  sail  at  daylight  the  next  morning,  he  wished 
to  be  excused  ;  however,  his  invitation  was  so  pressing  it  was  accepted ; 
and  he  did  not  leave  until  after  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  when  a  servant 
was  offered  to  conduct  him  through  a  huckleberry  swamp  on  the  way. 
As  it  was  bright  moonlight,  and  he  familiar  with  the  path,  this  civility 
was  declined.  When  about  half  way  through,  the  moon  disappeared, 
and  grandfather,  losing  the  path,  wandered  amidst  thorns  and  briers 
till  day  dawned,  his  clothes  completely  torn  off.  This  swamp  long 
ago  was  the  very  centre  of  New  York.  Col.  Rutgers,  the  son  of  that 
gentleman,  occupied  the  same  house  a  few  years  since. 

Joseph  Tatnall  was  the  most  distinguished  of  those  worthy  men 
whose  memories  deserve  notice  in  this  community ;  and  the  rising 
generation  ought  to  be  informed  that  Mr.  Tatnall  was  a  true  patriot. 
He  alone  dared  to  grind  flour  for  the  famishing  army  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, at  the  risk  of  the  destruction  of  his  mill.  His  house  was  the 
home  of  Gen.  Lafayette  during  his  sojourn  here,  and  that  patriot 
remembered  his  kindness.  On  his  return  to  New  York  in  1825,  he 
required  for  Mr.  Tatnall,  then  deceased.  As  he  passed  through  Bran- 
dywiue,  he  requested  that  the  procession  might  be  detained  a  few 
minutes  at  his  son's  door,  while  he  paid  his  respects  to  the  representa- 
tives of  his  worthy  friend. 

Gen.  Washington,  and  other  officers,  received  his  hospitality  during 
their  residence  here  ;  you  will  hear  more  of  his  patriotism  in  the  sequel. 
When  President,  and  passing  south,  once  he  alighted  at  Mr.  Tatnall's 
gate,  entered  the  yard  and  knocked.  Mrs.  T.  came  to  the  door,  and 
wished  to  send  for  Mr.  T.,  but  the  General  preferred  to  go  to  the  mill, 
and  leave  his  chariot  at  the  gate.     These  gentlemen  walked  back  to 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  25 

the  house,  followed  by  crowds  of  boys,  rejoicing  at  the  fine  chance 
offered  them  to  see  the  man  whom  the  people  delighted  to  honor.  One 
of  the  joyous  boys,  lately  deceased,  an  old  gentleman,  related  the 
incident  with  much  zest  as  a  remembrance  of  General  Washington. 

The  business  of  Mr.  Tatnall  was  very  extensive,  as  you  may 
conclude  from  one  circumstance.  Mr.  Lloyd,  a  great  grain  grower  in 
Maryland,  came  to  sell  his  wheat ;  went  to  Mr.  T.,  who  agreed  to 
take  all  he  had.  Mr.  Lloyd  smiled,  and  said,  "Why,  sir,  my  grain 
will  amount  to  forty  thousand  dollars."  The  reply  was,  "  I  will  take 
it,"  to  the  great  astonishment  of  that  gentleman,  and  perhaps  not 
less  so  to  the  gentry  of  the  present  day  to  hear  that  he  paid  the  cash 
for  it.  It  is  creditable  to  his  descendants  to  say  that  the  mills  are 
now  owned  by  his  sons  and  grandsons,  the  latter  being  the  principal 
millers. 

Thomas  Lea,  son-in-law  to  Mr.  Tatnall,  was  among  the  useful, 
enterprising,  and  wealthy  men  of  his  day;  was  often  heard  to  say  how 
much  he  had  been  blessed  ;  everything  seemed  to  prosper  in  his  hands  ; 
his  family  were  just  as  he  wished  they  should  be  ;  he  had  secured  for 
them  a  competency  of  this  world's  goods,  and  he  could  now  take  his 
ease.  He  built  the  largest  mill  on  the  Brandywine.  When  it  had 
been  a  short  time  in  operation,  and  was  filled  with  the  finest  grain,  lol 
trouble  came  upon  him  like  a  mighty  ru^ihing  wind.  The  destroying- 
element,  in  a  few  hours,  consumed  and  laid  in  ruins  this  queen  of  the 
mills. 

The  loss  was  great,  though  to  liiiu  trifling  ;  the  fire  was  tremen- 
dous, and  the  fragments  continued  burning  for  a  week.  Next,  the 
afflictive  hand  of  the  Almighty  was  laid  heavily  upon  him  ;  death 
entered  his  domestic  circle,  and  removed  a  beloved  daughter,  by  that 
direful  disease,  consumption,  that  slays  its  thousands  and  ten;?  of 
thousands;  and  a  daughter  young  and  lovely. 

Son  after  son  went  to  that  "  bourne  from  whence  no  traveler 
returns,"  until  seven  out  of  nine  of  his  children,  men  and  women, 
were  the  inmates  of  the  grave.  One  son  died  in  a  strange  land, 
whither  h^  went  in  pursuit  of  health.  His  riches  took  wings  and  flew 
away.  Lastly,  disease  seized  his  mortal  frame,  and  brought  down  his 
gray  hairs  in  sorrow  to  the  grave. 

"  If  a  man  live  many  years  and  rejoice  in  them  all,  Irt  liim  rciiiuni- 
ber  the  days  of  darkness."  "  The  dust  shall  return  to  the  earth  as  it 
was,  and  the  spirit  to  God,  who  gave  it." 

James  Price,  another  son-in-law  to  Mr.  Tatnall,  was  suddenly 
4 


26  REMiNiscENaES  OF  Wilmington. 

rernoved  from  prosperity  aud  usefulness,  apparently  in  the  prime  of 
life.     He  was  lamented  as  an  excellent  and  worthy  man. 

These  persons  were  all  of  the  society  of  Friends ;  plain,  straight- 
forward men,  calculating  the  cost  before  entering  into  any  contract, 
expecting  to  pay  the  uttermost  farthing,  and  from  their  own  purses 
too.  When  you  reflect  on  the  present  way  of  conducting  business 
with  the  facilities  to  accomplish  every  project,  those  persons  of  olden 
times  must  be  placed  among  the  highest  order  of  enterprising  men, 
and  to  whom  this  community  is  much  indebted  for  its  present  pros- 
perity. 


OHAPTEE    II. 

Race  Banks — Waterfalls — Isaac  Kendall — Amusements — Cottage  of  A.  H. 
Rowan,  Esq. — Winter  Sports — A  Sad  Calamity — Crossing  the  Dam — Moon- 
light Party— Bold  Scenery— Tablet  Rock— Old  SnufE  Mil— Isaac  .lones, 
Esq. — Old  Barley  jVIill — The  BrandyTvine — Floodgate — Rattlesnake  Run — 
Wild  Scenery — Freshets. 

Now  we  will  stroll  up  the  race  bank,  aud  view  the  beauties  of  this 
charming  place.  A  mammoth  willow  graces  the  entrance,  and  more 
than  fifty  years  have  passed  since  the  French  residents  built  bath- 
houses over  the  stream  on  this  side  for  their  own  use,  though  they 
generously  left  the  keys  near,  where  any  one  could  accept  their  prof- 
fered kindness,  and  it  was  fully  appreciated.  They  also  had  benches 
placed  in  this  race,  where  the  servant  women  stood  in  the  water  to 
wash  clothes,  drying  them  on  the  grass,  and  we  well  x*eniember  the 
snowy  whiteness  of  their  linen  by  this  cold  water  process. 

That  house  on  the  left  hand,  so  prettily  situated,  was  long  the  resi- 
dence of  James  Canby,  one  of  our  most  respectable  and  active  citizens, 
now  owned  and  occupied  by  our  worthy  Bishop  Lee. 

Here  are  four  races,  two  on  each  side  the  creek,  one  far  above  the 
other.  That  stream  flowing  so  gently  beneath,  at  times  rises  to  a 
great  height,  and  in  all  its  majestic  grandeur,  like  a  furious  torrent, 
sweeps  everything  before  it.  At  others,  the  water  is  so  low  you  can 
step  the  rocks  across. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  27 

Early  in  June  it  displays  all  its  loveliness  ;  then  the  forest  trees 
that  mostly  shade  these  walks  are  dressed  m  their  full  verdure;  the 
declivities  are  crowned  with  a  variety  of  wild  flowers  of  every  color 
and  hue  ;  the  vinos  in  their  different  shades  of  green  are  twined  around 
the  trees;  the  birds  are  singing  melodiously;  the  water  falling  over 
the  dams,  and  sprinkling  its  sprays  around,  dashing  and  foaming 
through  the  iloml-gates,  like  mineral  waters  sparkling  with  fixed  air; 
fishes  sporting  in  the  stream;  whole  schools  of  young  people  of  every 
age  are  skipping  along  the  banks,  climbing  the  rocks,  and  fancifully 
decorating  their  heads  with  wild  flowers.  Here  and  there  pic-uic 
parties,  amusing  themselves  in  the  neighboring  wood.  Animated 
nature  gives  an  expression  to  the  scenery,  while  inanimate  adorns 
it  with  its  richest  garb,  all  mingling  their  offerings  to  ornament  the 

S])Ot. 

Here  let  us  pause.  Shall  we  not  present  our  oftering  to  the  Lord? 
and  meditate  on  his  works,  "and  talk  of  His  wondrous  doings;  when 
our  lives  are  fallen  unto  us  in  pleasant  places,  and  we  have  so  goodly 
an  heritage."  Let  us  pray  for  his  counsel  to  guide  us  in  all  our  ways, 
that  at  the  last  he  may  receive  us  into  glory. 

Swimming  and  bathing  were  amusements  here,  and  for  more  than 
half  a  century  hundreds  of  lioys  were  taught  to  swim  by  a  kind- 
hearted  old  man,  lately  deceased,  Isaac  Kendall,  whose  efliciency  in 
this  art  will  be  long  held  in  grateful  remembrance"  by  fathers  and 
sons,  and  even  grandsons  who  have  been  entrusted  to  his  care  and 
taught  this  useful  exercise. 

His  instruction  was  gratuitous,  yet  he  seemed  amply  rewarded  b}' 
reciprocal  enjoyment.  Childn-n  were  regular  visitors  at  his  little 
cabin,  collecting  pictures  and  pasting  them  on  the  wall.  His  innocent 
and  lonely  life  was  cheered  by  these  youthful  guests. 

We  are  just  below  that  building  long  known  as  the  Old  Barley 
Mill,  near  the  creek.  On  this  s])ot,  in  1797,  stood  the  cottage  of 
vVrchibald  Hamilton  Rowan,  Esq.,  a  distinguished  Irish  gentleman 
who  op])osed  the  government  at  home,  and  joined  the  "  United  men," 
although  he  said  he  never  favored  rebellion,  but  only  a  reform. 

He  was  imprisoned,  and  made  a  wonderful  escape  through  the 
interposition  of  his  wife,  a  true  royalist,  who  had  access  to  the  prison 
at  all  times,  and  arranged  her  plans  judiciously.  Her  equipage 
attracted  notice,  and  drew  more  persons  together  than  usual  on  this 
occasion. 

Mrs.  Rowan  entered  the  prison,  with  her  female  attendant  only, 


28  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

and  an  over-garment  for  him  to  slip  on.  A  person  resembling  Mrs. 
Rowan,  dressed  in  his  clothes,  was  in  waiting.  At  the  moment  the 
keeper  was  turning  the  key  to  let  them  out,  the  alarm  of  fire  was 
given,  so  suddenly  that  all  was  confusion.  The  woman  remained  in 
the  prison,  and  he  stepped  into  the  carriage,  attired  in  the  garments 
of  this  female,  and  the  gentleman  sprang  out  at  the  other  side,  mounted 
a  fleet  horse  that  was  ready,  and  went  off  at  full  gallop.  In  the 
meantime,  Mr.  Rowan  rode  to  the  vicinity  of  Dublin,  and  escaped  on 
foot. 

As  soon  as  he  was  missed,  the  person  ou  horseback  was  pursued. 
Some  time  was  spent  in  following  up  this  delusion.  Handbills  were 
instantly  (5ut,  headed  "Rowan  in  the  smoke,  and  Ten  Thousand  pounds 
reward."  A  man  ploug-hing  lent  him  his  horse.  This  he  soon  rode 
down,  and  in  crossing  a  stream,  he  entreated  the  boatman  to  hurry. 
"  I  am  trying  to  get  you  away,  sir;  for  I  know  you,"  was  the  reply; 
"  and  I  am  a  poor  man,  and  could  now  make  my  fortune,  yet  would 
never  betray  such  a  friend  to  my  country  as  you."  This  he  spoke 
with  strong  feelings,  as  a  proof  of  Irish  generosity  and  noble-minded- 
ness. 

When  he  came  to  the  fishing-boat  provided  for  his  reception,  the 
fishermen  covered  him  with  their  seine  ;  and  some  difiiculty  occurring, 
they  were  compelled  to  put  back  to  the  shore.  Just  then  the  police 
officer  appeared.  There  were  many  boats,  and  all  were  diligently 
searched.  As  this  one  was  the  last,  he  began  to  despair,  and  was 
almost  ready  to  surrender,  when  one  of  the  police,  using  harsh  expres- 
sions, said  "  the  devil  had  a  hand  in  his  eluding  all  their  efforts  to 
capture  him,  and  they  might  as  well  give  over  the  pursuit." 

The  boat  was  then  pushed  off,  and  he  safely  landed  on  the  coast  of 
France.  When  on  board,  another  of  the  handbills  was  presented  him. 
He  encountered  some  difficulties  in  that  country,  whence  he  came  to 
this,  and  wandered  about  until  he  made  Wilmington  his  resting-place. 

For  years  he  was  an  exile  here.  He  boarded  with  Mr.  Armor, 
near  Wilmington,  for  months,  and  worked  in  his  garden  like  a  day- 
laborer,  and  left  everything  flourishing,  when  he  took  a  room  in  the 
suburbs  of  the  town,  over  a  back  building  attached  to  the  house  of 
a  very  peculiar  old  bachelor,  who,  being  himself  eccentric,  many  droll 
things  occurred.  He  had  a  kind  of  stairs  or  ladder,  on  the  outside,  to 
descend  without  interrupting  his  host,  whose  repose  was  often  disturbed, 
lest  the  stranger  should  commit  suicide. 

He  had  many  things  sent  him  from  home  as  curiosities.     One  night, 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  29 

the  snow  being  deep,  and  crusted  on  the  top,  he  put  on  an  enor- 
mous pair  of  wooden  shoes,  such  as  are  worn  in  the  bogs  of  Ireland, 
and  went  down  the  stairs  clattering  and  making  a  most  awful  noise. 
The  host  was  in  bed,  and  too  much  terrified  to  rise  and  see  what  it  was ; 
but  lay  covered  up  almost  sufibcated,  till  morning,  when  lo  I  to  his 
great  surprise  and  horror,  he  saw  evidently  the  track  of  a  giant's  foot 
in  the  snow,  who  he  had  no  doubt  came  to  his  house  that  night  in 
pursuit  of  the  stranger. 

He  soon  after  left  him,  and  built  this  cottage  of  rough  boards, 
with  several  small  rooms,  each  having  a  fine  name.  On  the  inside  he 
pasted  paper  to  make  it  look  neat. 

The  young  people  frequently  visited  him  to  borrow  his-  books,  as 
he  had  a  valuable  library.  His  only  companions  were  two  dogs, 
named  Sally  and  Charles,  after  his  wife  and  youngest  son.  They 
followed  him  everywhere,  and  seemed  to  understand  all  he  said.  I 
have  heard  him  order  them  to  shut  the  door,  and  reprove  them  fur 
not  cleaning  their  feet  before  they  entered  a  lady's  house,  when  they 
went  back  to  the  door  and  rubbed  their  feet  on  the  mat. 

Mrs.  Rowan  sent  him  a  lock  of  her  hair,  that  turned  gray  the 
night  he  made  his  escape  from  prison.  She  was  a  lady  of  great  beauty 
and  accomplishments,  and  was  prohibited  from  having  any  communi- 
cation with  him  on  the  forfeiture  of  her  estate;  yet  she  always  found 
a  way  to  supply  him  with  ample  funds. 

He  lived  in  this  humble  manner,  and  at  one  time  made  spruce 
beer,  and  wheeled  it  in  a  barrow  through  the  streets  to  sell.  All  this 
was  done  for  effect,  as  his  doings  were  known  in  England. 

At  another  time  he  set  up  a  calico-printing  establishment,  and  .sent 
his  address  to  a  friend. 

"  It  was  once  Hamilton  Rowan,  Esq., 
Now  it  is  calico-printer  and  dyer," 

He  had  many  friends  here,  and  was  greatly  respected.  One  day 
became  to  town  and  left  fire  in  his  stove;  when  he  returned  his  house 
was  in  ashes.  Some  men  saw  the  flames  in  time  to  save  a  few  articles ; 
but  nearly  all  his  valuables  were  consumed.  He  then  went  to  live  in 
the  old  house  opposite  the  barley-mill,  where  he  remained  to  reside 
during  his  stay  in  this  country. 

Many  offers  were  made  him  to  return  ;  stating  that  he  need  only  to 
ask  pardon  of  the  king,  and  it  would  be  granted  ;  but  he  declared  he 
would  never  bend  his  knee  to  majesty. 
4* 


30  Reminthcences   of  WlLMfNUrON. 

His  wife  and  family  were  permitted  to  meet  him  in  Hamburg,  to 
take  a  final  leave.  They  met,  and  through  the  intervention  of  friends, 
he  was  permitted  to  return,  on  giving  his  promise  never  to  meddle 
with  the  affairs  of  government.  Thus,  after  passing  years  in  humble 
life,  he  was  reinstated  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  with  an  income  of 
thirty  thousand  pounds  sterling  per  year. 

His  friends  here  were  never  forgotten.  They  often  received  remem- 
brances of  him  in  the  shape  of  presents,  and  several  men  far  beneath 
his  rank  were  entertained  at  his  house,  merely  because  they  were  from 
Wilmington.  He  had  a  room  in  his  house  called  Wilmington,  where 
he  retired  to  soothe  his  feelings  when  he  became  excited  on  any 
subject. 

A  ship  sailed  from  here  to  Hamburg,  while  he  was  there;  and  he 
invited  the  captain,  with  two  lads,  to  a  most  sumptuous  dinner, 
given  to  the  nobility,  and  introduced  them  as  the  sons  of  his  friends, 
and  spoke  with  much  feeling  of  the  hospitality  he  received  in  this 
place. 

Among  Mr.  Rowan's  curiosities  was  an  instrument  he  carried  in  a 
side  pocket,  placed  so  as  to  touch  his  hip  bone,  by  which  he  could  tell 
how  many  miles  he  walked  an  hour,  and  whether  he  went  too  fast  or 
too  slow.  This  was  made  by  his  wife's  direction,  to  enable  him  to 
take  proper  exercise  while  in  prison.  He  likewise  had  a  sword  cane 
with  a  compass  on  the  top,  less  than  a  dollar  in  size,  to  direct  his  steps 
when  he  was  wandering  through  the  woods. 

He  was  a  warm-hearted  friend,  and  gave  many  proofs  of  it  under 
trving  circumstances.  In  the  memorable  year  of  '98,  when  the  yellow 
fever  first  appeared  at  Wilmington.  William  Poole,  a  very  worthy 
miller  at  Brandyvvine,  a  friend  of  Mr.  Rowan,  was  seized  with  that 
alarming  disease,  which  every  one  seemed  to  fly  from.  As  soon  as  he 
heard  his  friend  was  ill,  he  proffered  his  services,  which  were  thank- 
fully received,  and  he  nursed  him  with  unremitted  attention  until  he 
recovered. 

Many  little  notices  of  friendship  passed  between  them  after  his 
return  to  Ireland. 

"Return  to  thy  place  and  abide  with  the  king,  for  thou  art  a 
stranger  and  also  an  exile." 

Fishing  among  the  rocks  and  streams  was  an  amusement  enjoyed 
by  numbers ;  being  so  well  shaded  it  afforded  pleasure  to  all  who  were 
fond  of  that  sport.  Young  people,  in  skipping  the  slippery  rocks 
heedlessly,  have  unexpectedly  taken  a  plunging  bath,  to  their  great 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  31 

anuoyance  and  the  merrimeut  of  their  companions;  sometimes-  it  has 
been  attended  with  danger. 

Amidst  the  dreariness  of  wintry  winds  and  chilling  frosts, — that 
have  stripped  the  rugged  oak  of  its  foliage  ;  disrobed  all  inanimate 
nature ;  forced  the  feathered  tribes  to  wing  their  way  to  more  conge- 
nial climes,  and  the  fishes  from  their  wonted  channel ;  driven  the  insect 
world  into  their  cells  ;  stilled  this  resistless  torrent  and  fitted  it  up  for 
a  sporting-place  for  youth, — even  at  this  cheerless  season  they  are  to 
be  found  in  the  full  tide  of  enjoyment. 

Many  can  recall  hours  pleasantly  spent  at  the  old  barley  mill, 
sliding  and  skating ;  groups  of  young  persons  and  schools  assemble 
here  to  enjoy  the  healthy  exercise.  Those  of  riper  years,  too,  have 
had  their  hours  of  recreation.  In  days  gone  by,  A.  H.  Rowan  and 
two  Scotchmen,  John  Fleming,  long  a  worthy  townsman  and  propietor 
of  the  mill,  with  his  friend  William  Key,  have  played  a  Scotch  game 
called  golfing.  They  drew  a  circle  on  the  ice,  and  had  a  stone  round 
but  rather  flat  on  one  side,  in  size  and  shape  much  like  an  old-fash- 
ioned roll  of  tobacco ;  in  this  a  handle  was  placed,  by  which  it  was 
pushed  over  the  ice,  something  like  pitching  ^[uoits.  This  game  has 
long  been  forgotten,  like  those  who  took  delight  in  it.  "  There  is  no 
remembrance  of  thee  in  the  grave." 

A  dangerous  sport  practiced  here  in  those  days  by  the  younger 
class  was  riding  on  a  whirligig.  A  post  was  secured  in  the  ice,  with  a 
hole  in  the  top,  through  which  a  long  pole  was  passed  ;  a  sled  was 
attached  to  each  end  by  a  rope  ;  'on  these  the  riders  were  seated ;  four 
or  six  men  holding  the  middle  of  the  pole,  forced  it  round  with  such 
rapidity  that  a  dense  mist  enveloped  the  whole  circle.  This  play  has 
also  passed  away  like  a  tale  told,  while  the  first  named  is  kept  up, 
amusing  to  spectators  who  come  here  to  witness  the  feats  displayed 
in  skating.  Some  with  great  dexterity  cut  ciphers  and  write  letters, 
others  have  little  girls  holding  on  to  their  coats  as  they  skate,  or  in 
sleds  fastened  to  their  waists,  flying  over  the  ice  in  full  glee  ;  many 
are  skilled  in  the  art  of  sliding  to  a  great  distance,  others  are  popping 
down  at  every  attempt,  yet  not  discouraged,  so  absorbed  in  pleasure 
they  are  regardless  of  the  intense  cold. 

Joyous  as  these  sports  may  be,  on  some  occasions  they  are  min- 
gled with  sorrow.  Thirty  winters  have  gone  since,  on  a  fine  morn- 
ing, a  few  school  girls  came  here  at  noon  to  slide  ;  and,  as  there 
was  water  over  the  edge  of  the  dam,  they  prudently  declined  to 
venture.     A  fearless  one  sprang  on,  the  ice  broke,  and  in  a  moment 


32  RSMTNTSCENCES    OF    WiLMINOTON. 

she  was  gone,  aud  through  great  exertion  taken  from  the  water  a 
stiffened  corpse. 

Adverse  providence.s  had  cast  a  gloom  over  the  dwelling  of  her 
widowed  mother.  The  angel  of  death  had  hovered  ?.round  and  borne 
away,  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  one  and  another  of  her  loved  ones.  They 
were  especial  objects  of  anxiety  ;  she  wept  over  them  as  they  sickened 
and  died.  For  this  blooming  daughter  of  thirteen  she  had  no  such 
fearjj  to  struggle  with,  having  left  home  but  a  few  hours  in  gayety  and 
health. 

Crowds  were  running  towards  Brandy  wine,  and  one  of  the  family 
inquired  the  cause ;  being  informed  a  child  was  drowned,  this  afflicted 
widow  could  feel  for  other's  woes,  and  when  a  sympathizing  friend 
entered  to  prepare  her  for  this  sad  event  she  met  her  in  tears,  but 
with  fervent  gratitude  thanked  her  Maker  for  the  safety  of  her  little 
ones;  her  manner  unnerved  the  affectionate  friend  for  the  painful 
duty. 

The  name  of  Mary  was  scarcely  uttered,  when  the  earthly  tene- 
ment of  this  beloved  daughter  was  borne  in  ;  but  the  buoyant  spirit 
that  so  lately  animated  the  lovely  form  had  fled.  This  was  an  agoniz- 
ing scene  to  see  the  bereaved  mother  lay  her  hand  on  the  breast  of  her 
darling  child,  in  hopes  some  warmth  still  remained  ;  but  all  was  in 
vain.  She  came  forth  like  a  flower,  was  cut  down  and  fled  away  like 
a  shadow.  "  Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth." 
"  The  living  know  that  they  shall  die,  but  of  the  day  and  hour  no 
man  knoweth." 

Mrs.  Jaue  Dauphin  often  compared  herself  to  the  wreck  of  a  ship 
floating  upon  the  ocean,  stripped  of  every  means  to  guard  against  the 
tempestuous  sea,  expecting  the  next  wave  to  dash  her  into  the  fathom- 
less abyss.  "  Be  merciful  unto  me,  O,  God,  for  my  soul  trusteth  in 
thee.  Yea,  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  will  I  make  my  refuge  until 
these  calamities  be  past." 

In  reviewing  gone-by  events,  many  individuals  will  be  associated 
of  olden  days  almost  forgotten,  others  of  more  recent  date,  though 
slumbering  in  the  dust,  live  in  memory.  To  some  of  those  we  know, 
a  brief  tribute  of  respect  may  not  be  improper. 

The  friend  alluded  to  was  a  widow,  and  acquainted  with  sorrow,  but 
not  so  overwhelming,  and  was  always  a  frieud  in  need.  Whenever 
Mrs.  Mary  Black  approached  the  "  house  of  mourning,"  it  was  to  weep 
with  those  who  wept,  and  her  gentle  spirit  was  fitted  for  errands  of 
mercy.     If  to  visit  the  sick,  her  presence  was  soothing  and  her  offering 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  33 

acceptable.  God  had  blessed  her  with  abundance,  and  as  a  practical 
Christian,  she  bounteously  gave  to  the  poor  of  the  land.  "  I  will 
shew  thee  my  faith  by  my  works." 

We  will  now  resume  our  stroll  and  cross  the  dam  where  two  races 
terminate,  and  ascend  the  narrow  rugged  path  to  the  bank  on  the 
right,  and  leisurely  walk  up  to  the  flood-gate,  thence  through  the 
wood  to  the  old  snuff-mill,  and  narrate  whatever  claims  a  lingering 
look.  Yon  clump  of  rocks,  so  steep  and  sloping  to  the  margin  of  the 
race  brim-full,  turn  the  thoughts  back  half  a  century  and  revive  an 
incident  in  early  life. 

On  an  evening  excursion  to  this  romantic  place,  a  youthful  party 
full  of  glee  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  to  pass  their  hours  in  social 
joy.  The  night  was  beautiful ;  a  brilliant  moonlight  rested  on  the  trees 
and  grass,  glittering  on  the  limpid  stream  in  pearly  rays.  The  girls 
frisked  over  the  grassy  way,  through  green  bushes,  with  their  white 
dresses  flowing,  leaping  rocks,  singing  and  chattering  merrily.  A 
village  beau  playfully  called  them  a  heartless  clan,  while  he  was 
displaying  his  eloquence  to  awaken  their  sympathies  for  his  pitiable 
fate,  just  parting  from  his  lady-love  and  in  despair.  They  were  as  gay 
as  larks. 

The  knell  of  time  warning  them  to  weud  their  way  home,  all  rushed 
to  this  spot,  and  scrambling  up  the  rocks  to  reach  the  top,  a  shout 
from  the  sentimental  orator  proclaimed  "  we  have  won  tlie  race,"  for  a 
smart  lassie  had  kept  by  his  side,  who  reminded  him  of  the  fitness  of 
this  rock  for  a  lover's  leap ;  now  he  could  perform  an  exploit  to 
sustain  his  pretensions.  At  this  moment  a  mis-step  of  hers  called 
forth  his  gallantry.  He,  too,  slipped,  and  in  they  plunged,  he  being 
over  ordinary  size,  made  a  tremendous  splash.  The  whole  party 
screamed  at  the  top  of  their  voices ;  and  an  echo  above  resounded 
through  the  wood,  and  the  loud  rumbling  noise  seemed  as  if  the  flood- 
gates had  given  away,  and  the  mighty  rushing  waters  were  about  to 
overwhelm  them. 

But  their  fears  were  soon  succeeded  by  peals  of  laughter,  to  see 
the  hero  and  heroine  gathering  themselves  up,  and  slowly  creeping  up 
from  their  aquatic  freak,  thoroughly  drenched  and  looking  aghast. 
In  a  doleful  tone,  the  lassie  exclaimed,  "  Am  not  I  in  a  rueful  plight? 
How  shall  I  go  through  town,'or  enter  my  home  in  such  a  dripping 
dress  ?"  Years  rolled  on  ere  the  story  was  forgotten,  yet  it  was  no 
rare  adventure  to  plunge  in  here. 

In  advancing,  the  shore  grows  bolder,  and  the  scenery  wilder.     A 


34  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

precipitous  ledge  of  rocks  arrests  our  attention,  rising  nearly  twenty 
feet  perpendicularly,  and  you  gaze  in  wonder  how  this  can  be ;  names 
cut  in  the  stone  from  top  to  bottom,  where  no  resting-place  is  found 
for  the  sole  of  the  foot.  The  ascent  adjoining  is  rugged  and  abrupt, 
covered  with  bushes,  and  some  noble  forest-trees.  That  ridge  of  rocks 
overgrown  with  pendant  moss,  and  goodly-sized  saplings,  growing  out 
of  the  clefts,  amaze  us,  for  we  see  no  soil  to  nourish  the  roots. 

At  the  old  snuff-mill,  associations  of  childhood  cling  to  memory, 
when  in  simplicity  a  child  would  receive,  and  be  pleased  with  a  trifle, 
and  carefully  preserve  it.  The  first  time  I  was  here,  the  wrapper  on  a 
roll  of  tobacco  took  my  fancy,  as  I  had  never  seen  the  like.  It  was 
an  engraving  of  four  men  seated  at  a  table  smoking  pipes.  The  first 
was  represented  as  saying,  "  Good  tobacco  ;"  the  second,  "  Yes,  excel- 
lent ;"  the  third,  "  Who  made  it?"  and  the  fourth,  "  Isaac  Jones."  A 
workman  kindly  gave  me  one  of  these  labels,  and  being  fond  of  pic- 
tures it  was  long  valued. 

Isaac  Jones  was  proprietor  of  this  property.  You  old  stone  house 
was  his  summer  residence ;  his  family  attended  the  Swedes  Church. 
One  or  more  are  interred  in  its  cemetery.  As  the  second  bell  rang  on 
Sunday  morning,  his  old-fashioned  carriage  was  seen  regularly  driving 
down  the  lane,  and  it  may  not  be  improper  here  to  say  that  Mr.  Jones 
was  ever  ready  to  contribute  liberally  for  church  purposes.  Though  a 
very  plain  man,  he  was  the  first  to  propose  the  purchase  of  an  organ 
for  Trinity  chapel,  and  promised  to  be  the  largest  contributor.  Ere  it 
was  completed,  he  was  consigned  to  dust. 

We  have  heard  that  his  heirs  received  but  a  small  portion  of  his 
possessions.  The  property  has  fallen  into  other  hands,  and  large  paper 
mills  are  erected  there.  "  Surely  every  man  walketh  in  vain  show  ; 
he  heapeth  up  riches,  and  knoweth  not  who  shall  gather  them." 

We  now  return  to  the  old  barley-mill,  and  must  tell  you  more  of 
it.  Fifty  years  ago,  a  calico-printing  establishment  was  set  up  here 
by  A.  H.  Rowan,  the  Irish  gentleman  previously  mentioned.  This 
place  had  long  been  used  by  John  Fleming  for  cleaning  barley.  A 
large  bleach  green,  over  the  race,  was  managed  by  an  Englishman. 
In  later  years  the  mill  was  enlarged,  filled  with  spinning  jennies,  and 
called  Kockburn  ;  these  were  superseded  by  carding  machinery,  then 
owned  by  one  of  our  worthy  townsmen,  Joseph  Briughurst. 

Spindle-making  is  now  carried  on,  and  the  machine  shop  con- 
ducted with  good  order  and  decorum,  by  a  woman  regularly  taught 
the  art  of  making  spindles  by  her  father.     Since  his  decease,  she  has 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  35 

managed  this  business,  and  is  said  to  excel  in  workmanship  ;  when  her 
daily  labors  are  over,  she  passes  the  twilight  in  improving  her  musical 
powers  on  the  violin,  and  she  plays  with  skill  and  taste. 

Near  yon  silvery  sheet  of  water  is  a  spot  of  spongy  oozy  soil  where 
flags  and  lilies  of  rare  beauty  grow. 

The  Brandywine  is  an  extremely  crooked  creek,  flowing  over  and 
through  rocks  and  through  hills  and  dales  in  fanciful  curves,  varying 
its  depth.  "Within  a  few  miles  of  town  you  can  cross  over  five 
bridges,  four  covered,  and  one  wire  footway,  where  you  ascend  a 
ladder,  and  step  on  slender  boards,  that  rock  with  your  weight,  and 
the  only  support  is  a  wire  not  as  thick  as  your  finger.  It  is  a  con- 
siderable height  above  the  water,  and  to  look  down  it  seems  a  fearful 
pass.  In  some  places  flats  are  pushed  over  by  holding  on  to  a  rope. 
In  others  boats  are  used. 

It  may  be  termed  likewise  a  whimsical  stream,  for  at  one  time  the 
dams  are  a  dry  path,  and  you  can  step  across  the  rocks,  and  the  whole 
looks  like  a  rocky  ridge  in  a  thirsty  land.  At  another  time  the  roar 
of  the  water-falls  are  deafening,  tumbling  over  furiously;  and  then 
again,  on  your  next  visit  it  may  be  a  gentle,  limpid  stream,  so  inviting 
that  a  seat  on  a  rock  is  involuntarily  taken  to  be  refreshed  by  its  cool 
shade,  in  the  view  of  reflected  mills,  vessels,  trees,  and  people;  ay, 
even  our  own  shadow. 

The  pathway  here  is  completely  overshadowed,  and  in  part  secured 
by  a  stone  wall,  then  a  strong  abrupt  descent  filled  with  briery  bushes. 
Here  and  there  a  few  gradual  slopes  covered  with  shrubs  and  vines,  so 
interwoven  that  they  form  arbors,  and  jutting  rocks  hang  over,  that 
shield  the  view  from  persons  walking  the  banks.  Thus  secluded,  they 
are  resorted  to  for  bathing. 

Near  the  head  of  this  race,  Caleb  Seal  and  Joseph  Shallcross,  a 
century  ago,  were  partners  in  a  mill,  where  the  neighbors  sent  their 
grists  and  waited  till  they  obtained  their  flour.  It  may  have  been  the 
first  mill  on  the  creek,  for  the  Indians  still  held  their  possessions  in 
places,  and  lived  in  wigwams,  the  ruins  of  which  I  remember. 

At  this  flood-gate  the  water  is  deep,  and  it  is  dangerous  to  fall  in. 
You  cross  a  flat  log,  perfectly  safe,  if  you  are  careful.  Now  and  then 
a  benevolent  hand  has  rescued  a  young  person  from  a  watery  grave. 

The  whole  border,  hill  and  glen,  is  covered  with  wild  flowers  of 
every  color  and  hue.  The  sweet-brier  and  crab-apple  blossoms  are 
fragrant,  and  beautifully  contrast  with  the  dog-wood  and  honeysuckle. 
Laurels  and  roses  are  plenty.     The  admired  Brandywine  cowslip  has 


36  REMINiaOENCE8    OF    WILMINGTON. 

beeu  so  long  sought  that  it  is  nearly  rooted  out,  and  the  rare  curious 
plant,  Noah's  ark,  almost  extinct.  But  the  neat  pietty  little  (Quaker 
girl  keeps  its  footing,  blooms  long,  and  is  very  abundant. 

In  summer  and  in  autumn,  fruits  and  nuts  may  be  gathered ;  and 
as  reward  always  sweetens  labor,  one  is  sure  to  be  amply  repaid  for  a 
toilsome  walk  of  ups  and  downs,  crossing  logs  or  leaping  rocks. 
However  the  attractions  may  vary  with  the  seasons,  they  never  fail. 

We  must  next  descend  a  ravine  of  solid  rocks,  through  which  a 
rivulet  runs,  that  has  worn  the  stones  smooth  ;  and  it  is  nearly  dry. 
Many  ramblers  on  these  banks  remember  Rattlesnake  Run.  It  com- 
memorates reptiles  that  flourished  here  in  the  days  of  "  auld  lang 
syne."  In  later  years,  they  and  "  copperheads"  were  scarce  ;  yet, 
when  the  dead  leaves  moved  beneath  the  feet,  the  ai:)prehension  made 
one  tremble. 

Black-snakes  were  numerous  here.  My  lot  was  only  now  and  then 
to  see  a  garter  or  water-snake  glide  into  the  race.  Many  u  group  of 
school  girls  have  scampered  over  this  grassy  way  to  clear  the  track 
from  such  intruders. 

The  general  aspect  of  this  place  is  extremel}'  picturesque,  exhibit- 
ing pleasant  windings  of  the  stream,  thickly  wooded  hills,  lofty  cliffs, 
and  valleys  filled  with  odoriferous  shrubs  and  patches  of  wild  flowers, 
difl'using  their  sweetness  in  the  air,  as  they  put  forth  blossoms  in  the 
spring.  The  thick  foliage  of  summer  ofiers  a  shady  retreat  near  the 
cooling  waters;  but  the  autumnal  scenery  excels  in  splendor,  when  on 
a  bright  day,  as  the  sun's  rays  are  softened  by  evening  shade,  and  the 
foliage  beautifully  variegated,  just  changing  its  colors;  the  ground- 
work still  green,  but  diversified  and  dotted  with  clusters  of  crimson 
leaves  of  every  tint,  and  hues  of  yellow  and  brown,  here  and  there 
speckled  and  streaked  glossy  leaves.  The  distant  view  resembles  a 
terraced  flower-garden,  or  green-house  plants,  tastefully  arranged  tier 
over  tier,  so  that  imagination  can  readily  form  gorgeous  bouquets, 
wreaths  and  pyramids. 

Hence  the  pathway  winds  through  a  glen,  and  the  stream  in  view 
points  the  way,  or  a  stranger  might  become  entangled  in  briers  and 
thorns.  The  woody  heights  stretch  across  like  a  screen,  and  the 
approach  to  the  buildings  curves  into  a  little  dingle,  through  which  a 
gentle  streamlet  murmurs,  and  bushes  entwined  with  vines  darken  the 
way  and  remind  us  of  an  entrance  into  a  cavern.  Quickly  a  glimpse 
of  curling  smoke,  rising  among  the  trees  from  cottages  interspersed  on 
the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  the  old  paper-mill  bursts  upon  your  sight. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  37 

Here  everything  is  full  of  life;  clangor  of  mills,  humming  of 
machinery,' din  of  busy  men  hurrying  to  and  fro,  waters  roaring, 
rending  of  rocks  resounding  through  the  lofty  heights  ;  for  it  is  on  the 
border  of  a  kingly  stream,  that  gives  the  power  of  motion  to  a  vast 
amount  of  machinery  above  and  below,  where  thousands  of  men, 
women,  and  children  are  employed,  bsiides  scores  of  animals  and 
numberless  vehicles  freighted  with  manufactured  commodities,  destined 
to  a  distant  market.  We  may  safely  say  the  vehicles  contain  an 
abundance  of  the  staff  of  life,  and  much  of  life's  destroyer.  They 
return  laden  with  the  raw  material,  produce  and  merchandise.  Here 
the  farmer  has  a  market  at  his  door,  and  the  laborer  can  earn  bread 
enough  and  to  spare.  Here  the  poor  man  may  become  rich — rich  in 
the  comforts  of  life,  but  mayhap  here,  too,  the  rich  man  may  become 
poor. 

There  are  times  when  this  kingly  stream  rises  in  majestic  grandeur, 
and  stone  walls  must  bow.  Ah !  the  very  stones  must  be  rooted  from 
the  earth  that  for  ages  they  have  clung  to  as  their  birthplace. 
And  costly  machinery  that  has  drained  his  coffers  of  thousands  is  rent 
into  atoms,  or  unfitted  for  service.  And  the  poor  man's  garner,  too, 
and  the  couch  whereon  he  rested  his  weary  limbs,  must  go ;  and 
perhaps  his  cabin  is  not  spared.  Amid  all  this  devastation,  he, 
homeless  and  penniless,  may  yet  gratefully  thank  his  Maker  for  the 
blessing  of  life. 

From  one  familiarly  acquainted  with  this  region  half  a  century, 
you  may  expect  to  hear  how  things  were  in  gone-by  days.  The  store- 
house of  memory  could  furnish  incidents  of  deep  interest  for  a  long 
narrative,  were  it  in  skilful  hands  ;  as  it  is  not,  a  brief  and  simple 
story  must  suffice  of  this  old  mill,  in  operation  before  the  present 
century. 


6* 


CHAPTEK    III. 

OIil  Paper  Mill  -'I'Ik^  Original  Paper  Machine— Description  of  the  Mills,  Cot- 
tages, »kc.— Pi('t\n-esque  Scenery— Keutmere,  tlie  renidence  of  Joshua  Gilpin, 
Es([.- -Giant's  Footrock—Pic-Nic—Rokeby—Hagely— Jacob  Broom,  Esq.— 
('otton  Mill— Ruins,  &c.— Lost  in  the  Wood— Messrs.  DuPont's  Improve- 
ments—Eleutherian  Mills — Explosion — Alarm — Change  of  Sceneiy — Fine 
Mansions— Gen.  Lafayette— Rockland— William  Young,  Esq. — Relics  of 
Gen.  Washington— J.  Brindley,  Esq. — Swedes. 

Along  a  curve  of  the  Brandy wiiie  Creek,  about  two  miles  above 
the  City  of  Wilmington,  where  the  stream  forms  a  semicircle  for 
nearly  a  mile,  was  situated  the  estate  of  Joshua  and  Thomas  Gilpin, 
at  which  the  water  power  had  been  formerly  approi:)riated  to  the 
manufacture  of  flour,  and  various  other  objects.  But  on  the  revival 
of  trade  and  some  of  the  manufactures  immediately  after  the  Ameri- 
can Revolutionary  war,  it  was  converted  to  the  making  of  paper, 
which  was  established  there  in  the  year  1787,  and  continued  by  the 
usual  process  into  the  commencement  of  the  present  century. 

In  the  progress  of  invention  and  impi-ovement,  however,  which 
has  been  so  remarkably  developed  in  our  day,  the  Messrs.  Gilpin  ex- 
tended their  concern  here  very  much,  and  established  a  new  process  ; 
it  was  the  art  of  manufacturing  paper  by  machinery,  so  as  to  make  a 
sheet  of  paper  continuous  and  endless  in  length,  and  originating  there, 
was  the  first  establishment  of  this  kind  in  America. 

The  paper  was  made  on  a  revolving  cylinder,  all  the  machinery 
for  which  was  made  on  the  spot,  and  it  was  entirely  successful.  It 
was  a  novel  accomplishment  of  skill  and  talent,  and  was  very  much 
admired  as  forming  so  very  important  an  improvement ;  the  previous 
and  old  method  having  been  to  make  paper  by  single  sheets,  by  a 
tedious  and  laborious  process  of  the  workmen  by  hand  labor. 

The  machinery  requiring  great  accuracy  in  its  construction,  was 
in  progress  for  some  time,  but  was  put  into  use  in  August,  1817,  and 
about  the  end  of  the  year  began  to  furnish  paper  for  market ;  first 
for  the  American  Daily  Advertiser  at  Philadelphia,  and  for  other 
newspapers,  and  soon  after  for  elegant  editions  of  extensive  works, 
and  for  writing.     In  May,  1821,  Lavoisne's  great  Atlas  in  letter-press 

38 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  39 

and  colored  copper-plate  engravings  was  published  upon  this  machine 
paper,  by  Mathew  Carey  &  Son,  of  Philadelphia,  and  this  is  noted  by 
them  in  their  edition  of  the  work. 

The  establishment  of  this  machinery  necessarily  created  great 
jealousy  and  envy,  for  it  was  calculated  to  alter,  as  it  soon  did  alter, 
the  whole  system  of  paper  manufacture  through  the  country  ;  and  it 
eventually  furnished  to  the  American  public  the  means  of  a  greater 
and  cheaper  supply  of  this  prime  material,  for  the  extension  of 
knowledge  and  literature,  and  which  could  not  otherwise  have  been 
obtained  for  the  extensive  demands  of  our  wonderfully  extended 
country. 

But  the  establishment  underwent  difficulties  and  disappointments 
commensurate  with  its  importance. 

A  patent  for  the  invention  had  been  taken  out  in  the  year  1816, 
by  Thomas  Gilpin,  but  this  was  done  before  it  was  perfected  and  in 
use — and  after  it  was  completed,  its  importance  was  so  obvious  that 
every  method  was  taken  to  procure  a  knowledge  of  it ;  so  that  event- 
ually, by  obtaining  information  from  time  to  time  of  some  of  the 
work  people,  and  close  inspection  of  the  patent,  sufficient  ideas  were 
obtained  of  the  machine  to  evade  the  patent,  and  similar  machinery 
in  rivalship  was  got  up  and  experimented  upon  in  New  England  ;  and 
this  was  first  introduced  at  the  paper  mills  at  Springfield,  Massachu- 
setts, where  paper  by  machinery  was  produced  about  the  year  1825, 
and  from  thence  the  process  was  quickly  spread  through  the  country. 

Besides  this,  the  estate  sustained  calamities  of  various  character. 
On  the  22d  February,  1822,  an  overwhelming  flood  extended  over  all 
this  part  of  the  country,  and  by  it  the  creek  rose  to  the  height  of 
more  than  twenty  feet,  which  caused  the  destruction  or  ruin  of  most 
of  the  establishments,  and  on  this  estate  to  carry  away  to  a  great 
extent  the  dam,  the  races,  machinery,  and  some  of  the  buildings.  In 
addition  to  this,  in  the  month  of  April,  1825,  one  of  the  principal 
mills,  with  the  machinery  in  it,  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

These  extensive  calamities  were  followed  by  a  further  freshet, 
which  took  place  over  all  the  country,  in  the  spring  of  1838,  by  which 
these  works  were  more  extensively  injured  than  by  the  former  one  ; 
for  being  the  lowest  down  on  the  creek  they  were  more  exposed  to  the 
flood.  The  large  bridge  below  them,  on  the  Philadelphia  road,  was 
carried  away  on  both  occasions.  The  proprietors  of  these  mills  having 
thus  continued  the  Brandywine  manufacture  of  paper,  on  the  estate, 
for  exactly  fifty  years,  it  was  discontinued  and  the  estate  sold,  and  the 


40  REMINmCENCES    OF   WILMINGTON. 

buildings  were  then  appro})riatcd  to  the  manufacture  of  cotton,  which 
became  a  more  extensive  object  through  the  country. 

The  statement  of  the  machine,  and  freshets,  was  handed  to  the 
author  by  Thomas  Gilpin,  Esq. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  the  old  mill  was  in  operation  before 
the  close  of  the  last  century,  but  it  was  not  so  extensively  known 
beyond  this  vicinity  before  the  improvements,  which  were  made  soon 
after  the  commencement  of  the  present  one ;  from  thence  it  progressed 
to  great  notoriety.  Citizens  and  strangers  often  resorted  to  this  estate 
for  a  pleasant  walk,  and  to  enjoy  its  beauteous  scenery,  as  well  as  to 
see  the  novelty  and  skill  of  mechanism,  visit  the  wonder-working 
machine  that  could  turn  out  an  endless  sheet  of  paper.  Paper-making 
is  too  well  known  to  need  a  description.  Yet  as  things  here  were  on 
the  most  approved  plan,  and  order  and  neatness  presided,  we  will 
venture  to  sketch  one  apartment  in  the  old  mill — a  large  salle  on  the 
lower  floor,  where  more  than  thirty  women  were  seated  on  high  stools, 
at  a  long  table  placed  before  the  windows,  each  one  having  a  knife  to 
pick  the  motes  from  every  sheet ;  and  they  were  dressed  becoming 
their  occupation,  with  a  clean  apron  as  smooth  as  if  an  iron  had  just 
been  rubbed  over  it.  Not  a  cobweb  marred  these  white  walls,  nor  was 
dust  allowed  to  soil  the  floors. 

Just  above  this,  a  large  and  modern  stone  building  was  occupied 
in  the  same  way.  Many  departments  of  the  business  were  carried  on 
in  each  of  these  houses.  The  stone  house  below  was  used  for  assorting 
and  cutting  rags,  and  another  stone  structure  for  extracting  colors. 
In  this,  immense  kettles  were  fixed  in  furnaces  built  of  stone  that 
seemed  immovable  ;  yet  the  memorable  freshet  of  1822  swept  the 
whole  of  the  lower  works  away,  and  part  of  the  building  also.  One 
of  these  heavy 'coppers  landed  on  the  Pea  Patch;  and  the  chain 
bridge  connecting  Wilmington  and  Braudywine  was  carried  down  the 
stream  for  some  distance,  and  landed  on  the  marsh,  doing  but  little 
injury  to  the  wood  work.  Flat-boats  often  conveyed  paper  on  the 
water  from  one  mill  to  another ;  but  it  was  generally  taken  in  wagons 
to  the  Wilmington  wharves.  Large  quantities  of  bank  note  paper 
were  made  here.  We  have  seen  whole  pieces  of  new  silk  handker- 
chiefs cut  to  mix  with  the  rags,  to  designate  its  manufacture. 

It  is  nearly  thirty  years  since  the  old  mill  was  burnt.  The  fire 
took  place  at  noonday,  and  could  not  be  accounted  for  ;  but  it  was  on 
a  day  when  public  business  was  to  be  transacted,  and  strangers  had 
assembled.    The  lighted  sheets  of  paper  flew  through  the  air  to  a 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  41 

great  distance,  presenting  a  grand  spectacle.  The  ruins  stood  for 
years.  Close  to  the  mills  was  a  carriage  road.  Except  this,  the  fore- 
ground was  of  steep  hills,  covered  with  grass  and  mostly  shaded  by 
noble  trees.  The  hills  were  ascended  by  steps  cut  in  the  earth,  or 
boarded  and  walled  up.  On  the  left  was  a  fine  clump  of  trees,  and  a 
swing  with  an  armed  chair,  nicely  arranged,  where  hundreds  of 
youth  have  whiled  away  pleasant  hours. 

"  And  memories  of  the  loved, 

The  loved  and  far  away, 
Live  in  those  dark  and  heavy  boughs, 

And  hang  uiDon  each  spray. 

How  can  ye,  thoughtless  winds, 

Sing  there  with  so  much  glee  ? 
My  eyes  are  dimmed  with  sadness  now, 

How  can  I  sketch  the  tree  ?" 

The  axe  has  been  laid  at  the  root,  and  the  woodman  has  not  sjoared 
those  trees. 

Tier  upon  tier  of  stone  cottages,  yellow-dashed  and  well  venti- 
lated, rise  up  before  you  on  these  hills,  shaded  by  forest  trees,  each 
having  a  yard  nicely  paled  and  ornamented  with  shrubs  and  vines, 
climbing  to  the  roofs,  mingling  taste  with  comfort. 

As  a  manufacturing  district,  it  was  long  proverbial  for  the  neatness 
and  orderly  conduct  uf  its  population.  One  trait  in  the  character  so 
remarkable  we  must  not  omit  to  note.  The  Messrs.  Gilpin  were  the 
proprietors — the  younger  one  of  whom,  Thomas  Gilpin,  resided  partly 
in  Philadelphia ;  but  when  here,  occupied  a  very  pleasant  cottage,  at 
which  he  generally  received  his  friends.  His  garden  was  filled  with 
fruit  and  flowers,  with  some  choice  lemon-trees  in  full  bearing.  There 
was  a  green-house  adjoining,  and  an  ice-house,  in  which  the  work 
people  were  allowed  to  keep  their  provisions,  and  to  have  daily 
access  to  it. 

He  having  no  family,  and  having  to  attend  to  the  business  in 
Philadelphia,  he  passed  only  a  part  of  his  time  on  this  estate  ;  but 
when  absent,  the  house  was  left  to  be  opened  for  the  use  of  his  friends, 
and  such  strangers  as  were  brought  by  them  to  see  the  works.  Here 
they  stayed,  and  had  the  plain  refreshments  of  water,  cheese  and 
crackers,  "  for  the  string  of  the  latch  was  never  pulled  in  ;"  yet 
nothing  was  ever  disturbed,  for  a  corresponding  respect  was  paid  by 
the  guests  to  the  attention  they  were  accustomed  to  receive. 


42  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

One  anecdote,  to  show  somewhat  of  the  character  of  some  of  the 
parties,  may  be  worthy  a  place  in  the  reader's  attention. 

In  the  rosy  month  of  June,  notice  was  sent  of  a  party  of  the 
young  and  sportive  for  the  privilege  of  a  day's  recreation,  and  one  of 
the  cottages  was  prepared  for  them.  The  owner  passing  by  a  trio  of 
young  ladies,  when  seated  in  the  wood,  observed  to  them  that  they 
had  a  beautiful  party,  to  which  one  of  the  young  ladies  replied,  "Yes, 
and  there  are  three  brides  among  us."  The  observation  he  then  made 
was,  "Then  I  hope  you  are  the  three."  But  one  of  them,  with  what 
emotion  must  not  here  be  betrayed,  said,  "  No,  there's  no  such  good 
luck." 

In  an  elevated  and  picturesque  situation,  on  the  upper  part  of  the 
lawn,  near  the  top  of  the  hill,  but  surrounded  by  a  forest  grove, 
stands  the  very  neat  cottage  of  the  higher  order,  built  by  Joshua 
Gilpin,  Esq.,  and  called  Kentraere.  It  is  beautifully  situated,  with  an 
extensive  view  over  the  valley  of  the  Brandywiue  and  the  Delaware; 
with  gardens  and  walks  around  it  tastefully  arranged.  This  mansion 
is  too  well  known  to  be  further  described,  where  many  visitors  from 
the  neighborhood  and  cities  have  been  so  hospitably  entertained.  I\Ir. 
Gilpin  resided  here  with  his  family  the  latter  part  of  his  life  ;  and 
died  there  in  the  year  1841. 

In  the  day  of  prosperity,  the  large  stone  house  opposite  the  mill 
was  occupied  by  Lawrence  Greatrake,  who  managed  the  concern  of 
paper-making.  Death  summoned  him  suddenly,  in  the  vigor  of  life, 
to  leave  this  extensive  business  and  his  large  family.  A  youthful  son 
succeeded  him  in  the  management  of  the  establishment  fur  years.  It 
was  a  beautiful  spot,  and  all  around  it  was  kept  in  the  neatest  order, 
shaded  by  trees,  shrubbery,  and  vines.  Yet  no  withered  leaves  or 
broken  branches  marred  the  rich  verdure  on  this  hill.  The  mistress 
of  the  mansion,  Mrs.  G.,  arranged  all  within  her  bounds  in  good  taste. 

The  court  in  front  was  adorned  in  beauteous  order,  with  many 
flowering  shrubs.  The  balcony  in  the  rear  overlooked  the  creek  and 
mills,  and  far  beyond  ;  and  the  steep  hill  descending  was  covered 
with  rich  grass,  and  handsome  trees  well  trimmed,  so  that  the  view 
was  not  obscured.  On  one  side  was  the  garden,  with  a  serpentine 
walk  the  whole  length  of  the  high  ground,  and  planted  with  different 
species  of  trees  and  shrubbery,  consisting  of  some  hundred  varieties, 
completely  shaded.  Here  and  there  was  an  arbor,  decorated  -with 
vines  and  furnished  with  stools  painted  white.  This  presented  the 
most  picturesque   view.     At   the   entrance  of  the   estate  was  a  neat 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  43 

cottage,  called  a  lodge,  at  which  the  road  divided  into  three  ways, 
with  a  large  gate  to  each  ;  a  private  one  led  to  Kentraere,  a  lower 
one  to  the  mill  below,  and  the  centre  cue  to  this  house  and  the  mills 
above. 

There  are  many  who  gratefully  remember  the  civilities  tendered 
to  them  by  this  family,  especially  those  caught  in  rains  or  thunder 
storms  in  their  rambles  up  these  banks,  and  sought  shelter  under  their 
roof.  Some  far  away,  who  have  been  educated  at  Hilles's  boarding 
school,  may  not  forget  the  memorable  evening  when  the  entire  school 
fled  to  this  mansion  to  seek  an  asylum  from  a  pelting  rain,  and  the 
perplexity,  as  night  approached,  with  no  appearance  of  a  change  in 
the  weather,  and  how  George  Greatrake  exhibited  his  kindness  in 
ordering  the  large  covered  mill  wagon,  geared  with  four  horses,  in 
which  fifry  or  more  girls  were  closely  packed  like  reams  of  paper, 
standing  erect,  secure  from  the  rain.  They  had  a  merry  ride  ;  though 
slow,  it  was  sure  and  novel ;  a  carriage  conveyed  the  teachers  home, 
and  this  was  deemed  an  event  in  their  life. 

The  daily  crowds  of  visitors  here  one  would  think  must  be  weari- 
some to  master  and  man,  yet  all  were  met  by  cheerful  faces,  their 
curiosity  gratified,  and  questions  answered,  however  frivolous,  and  the 
greatest,  civility  extended  in  passing  through  the  various  departments. 
Some  one  was  ready  to  show  all  that  you  desired  to  see. 

Mr.  G.  Greatrake,  by  personal  exertion  in  the  freshet  of  '22, 
impaired  his  constitution,  and  became  the  victim  of  a  disease  of  the 
lungs,  and  in  a  few  years  died  at  the  south,  whither  he  went  to  recruit 
his  health.  From  his  knowledge  of  the  business,  and  popularity  with 
the  workmen,  his  death  was  a  great  loss  to  the  establishment.  But 
the  business  being  changed  and  the  estate  having  fallen  into  other 
hands,  everything  was  soon  on  the  wane;  and  we  lament  to  note  the 
decline  and  fall  of  an  establishment  of  which  this  town  could  once 
boast,  as  unrivaled  in  its  order  and  pleasant  scenery,  and  the  delight 
and  amusement  of  distant  friends  in  their  walk  to  view  the  operations 
at  the  old  paper-mill. 

How  old  things  have  changed !  The  buildings  are  now  cotton 
mills  with  additions.  The  beautiful  trees  and  tasteful  ornaments  are 
laid  low  in  the  dust.  Like  the  elder  members  of  this  hospitable 
family,  they  are  mingling  with  the  earth. 

We  will  now  pass  on  to  a  place  of  great  notoriety,  though  of  more 
recent  growth,  and  continue  to  mark  things  and  incidents  on  our  way, 
as  tea-parties  and  pic-nics  often  assembled  here.     We  will  describe  a 


44  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

select  one,  in  the  words  of  a  departed  friend,  after  naming  the  young 
persons  who  had  walked  up  the  banks.  "  We  rode  to  the  paper-mill, 
where  we  alighted,  and  bore  the  provisions  to  the  destined  place  of 
entertainment.  We  were  soon  joined  by  the  company,  and  procured 
a  sylvan  retreat  just  above  the  mills.  The  seats  on  the  rocks  were 
arranged  in  convenient  order  to  receive  us,  the  rocks  rising  behind  to 
screen  us  from  the  world,  and  affording  a  rural  retreat  beside  the  cold 
clear  stream.  The  weather  was  enchanting.  The  opposite  forest  was 
beautifully  painted  by  the  finger  of  reflection,  on  the  calm  surface  of 
the  Brandywine.  Every  face  beamed  with  youthful  pleasure  ;  soon 
the  baskets  were  opened,  and  a  limpid  spring  afforded  its  aid  for  our 
gratification.  A  huge  pitcher  of  cold  lemonade  was  followed  by  cake, 
and  never  did  it  more  refresh  the  spirits.  The  three  musicians 
bounded  with  elastic  steps  over  the  rocks,  and  placed  themselves  amid 
a  green  bower  above  us.  There  the  flutes  played,  and  the  rocks  rever- 
berated their  sweetest  notes.     We  had  a  feast  of  melody. 

"  A  second  supply  of  lemonade  and  cake  was  handed  round ;  con- 
versation varied  the  entertainment ;  some  with  hook  and  line  sported 
on  the  margin  of  the  stream.  The  whole  scene  was  picturesque  and 
beautiful.  The  figures  of  our  musicians,  perched  on  an  elevated 
rock,  rendered  darker  by  the  rich  foliage  that  nearly  surrounded 
them,  formed  a  fine  contrast  with  the  white  robes  and  sylph-like  forms 
of  the  young  ladies,  some  standing  on  the  green  turf,  others  resting  on 
the  rocks,  and  others  again  bending  over  the  stream.  The  sun 
declined  gently  and  brilliantly,  the  breeze  of  evening  played  upon  our 
faces,  and  we  had  a  most  enchanting  walk  home. 

*'  I  was  struck  by  the  romantic  beauty  of  the  cottages  on  the 
the  Brandywine,  all  yellow-washed,  with  white  doors,  &c.,  and  orna- 
mented in  the  most  tasteful  manner  with  vines  and  various  shrubbery. 

"  Thanks  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Gilpin,  our  New  York  guest  was 
perfectly  enchanted,  and  all  professed  themselves  highly  delighted. 
M.  and  his  fair  cousin  left  us  at  nine,  much  gratified.  The  gentlemen 
dreamed  of  rocks,  cascades,  and  ladies  fair.  Even  I  was  wandering 
in  dreams  over  the  fairy  scene.  The  water-fall  was  a  fine  natural 
accompaniment  to  the  flutes.  We  reached  home  at  eight  o'clock,  the 
appointed  hour." 

Here  is  a  natural  curiosity,  a  flat  blue  rock  of  Brandywine,  famed 
for  solidity,  and  high  upon  it  is  a  flat  space,  worn  by  pebbles,  so  as  to 
leave  the  distinct  shape  of  an  overgrown  human  foot ;  that  is  called 
the  Giant's  Rock. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  45 

Another  flat  rock  claimed  notice  in  days  gone  by.  A  student  of 
Doctor  Way's,  from  South  Carolina,  who  had  spent  years  here,  and 
associated  with  the  best  society,  in  September  left  here  to  attend  the 
medical  lectures  in  Philadelphia ;  sincerely  regretting  his  change 
of  home,  was  induced  to  make  an  early  visit  to  the  friends  he 
loved.  He  rambled  up  these  banks  with  his  friend,  E.  Thomas,  Sen., 
to  enjoy  the  beauteous  evening  scenery.  He  observed  he  was  taking 
his  last  look  of  the  spot  where  he  had  whiled  away  so  many  happy 
hours.  They  crossed  and  re-crossed  streams  till  wearied,  and  sat 
down  on  a  rock  musing  in  sadness  that  they  so  soon  must  part  and 
meet  but  once  more  to  bid  a  final  farewell. 

The  doctor  had  his  flute,  and  played  Burns'  Adieu,  accompanied 
by  E.  T.'s  voice,  who  sang  well.  While  conversing,  the  doctor  cut 
his  name  in  the  rock  ("  William  H.  Kenney,  departed — ").  He  left 
a  Space  for  Wilmington,  in  which  E.  T.  cut  "  this  life,  in  October 
1794."  After  his  return  to  the  city  he  was  suddenly  attacked  by  a 
violent  fever,  and  died  in  a  few  days,  in  the  same  month,  much 
lamented  here,  and  to  the  great  grief  of  his  father,  for  he  was  an  only 
son.     "  But  I  said  truly,  this  is  a  great  grief,  and  I  must  bear  it." 

During  the  speculative  mania  that  raged  to  an  alarming  extent 
from  the  year  1812,  many  sober-minded  men  caught  the  epidemic, 
and  it  seemed  to  turn  their  thoughts  back  to  days  of  yore,  when 
Blackboard  hid  his  booty  on  the  border  of  streams.  For  by  fancied 
clairvoyance,  they  saw  hidden  treasure  'neath  this  barren  rocky  spot, 
and  paid  forty  thousand  dollars  for  a  few  acres.  This  was  truly 
scattering  to  the  wind ;  sowing  on  rocky  ground  that  yielded  no  fruit, 
but  verified  an  old  proverb,  that  nothing  is  lost. 

The  folly  that  empties  one  man's  purse  goes  to  fill  the  purse  of 
another.  The  original  proprietor,  Job  Harvey,  was  a  wealthy  and 
far-sighted  man,  who  gathered  in  a  rich  harvest  by  this  speculation. 

The  next  place  to  note  is  an  old  establishment  formerly  owned  by 
a  respectable  inhabitant  of  early  days,  Vincent  Gilpin,  who  knew 
Wilmington  as  a  village  in  its  simplicity,  and  beheld  it  rise  to  the 
glory  of  a  borough  ;  and  amid  all  the  changing  scenes,  he  sustained 
his  integrity  as  a  worthy  man  ;  when  full  of  years  he  ended  life's 
pilgrimage,  leaving  to  his  heirs  this  property,  which  was  a  good  old- 
fashioned  house  and  grist-mill.  They  were  sold  to  Lewis  McLane, 
Esq.,  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  who  established  a  cotton  manufac- 
tory, and  called  the  place  Rokeby. 

The  wire  bridge  across  the  stream  is  near,  and  also  several  fac- 
6* 


46  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

tories  ;  but  Hageley  was  the  oldest  building,  and  most  improved 
grounils.  For  many  years  it  was  a  summer  retreat  of  Rumford  Dawes, 
a  wealthy  merchant  of  Philadelphia,  whose  family  were  residents  here 
in  village  days,  incidents  of  whom,  as  we  proceed,  will  help  to  swell  our 
narrative. 

Some  of  our  neighboring  citizens  in  fashionable  life  no  doubt  yet 
remember  the  hospitality  of  the  owners  of  this  mansion,  where  they 
spent  weeks  enjoying  the  rural  and  lovely  scenery  at  Dawes'  slitting 
mill.  This  was  purchassd  of  Mr.  D.  by  the  Messrs.  Dupont  for  fifty 
thousand  dollars,  to  erect  powder  mills. 

In  the  last  century,  these  banks  looked  like  a  howling  wilderness, 
studded  with  rocks,  so  unfitted  for  tillage,  that,  apparently,  no  art  of 
man  could  change  the  face  of  nature.  Rattlesnakes  and  copperheads, 
it  was  said,  flourished  here  in  countless  numbers,  when  Jacob  Broome, 
Esq.,  in  1795,  selected  the  only  eligible  spot  for  a  cotton  manufactcJry 
— the  first  in  this  region.  It  was  deemed  a  wonderful  enterprise. 
Soon  after  he  built  a  mansion,  spacious  for  that  day,  on  the  hill  now 
occupied  by  Dr.  Smith,  In  the  summer  of  1797,  Mr,  B.'s  family 
spent  some  weeks  there  ;  and  I  remember  the  spot,  when  I  was  on  a 
visit  to  his  daughters. 

The  mill  was  not  long  in  operation  ere  it  was  burnt  down,  and 
remained  a  heap  of  ruins. 

In  the  year  1802,  we  passed  a  balmy  Indian  summer  in  Brandy- 
wine  Hundred,  and  my  delight  was  to  wander  round  and  through  the 
wood  with  an  elder  female,  who  loved  to  tell  legends  and  early 
recollections  of  her  birthplace  and  youthful  home.  Her  ancestors 
weie  Swedish  colonists,  one  of  whom  cleared  and  tilled  a  part  of  this 
region,  and  fitted  up  his  cabin  amid  the  red  men,  near  their  wigwam  ; 
and  by  precept  and  example  convinced  them  that  the  white  man  who 
walked  humbly  with  his  God  was  their  friend  and  neighbor.  Here  he 
was  content  to  dwell  and  enlarge  his  borders,  improve  his  grounds  and 
tenements.  In  old  age  he  set  his  house  in  order,  trimmed  his  lamp, 
and  waited  for  the  messenger  to  guide  him  to  a  peaceful  home. 

The  battle  of  the  Brandywine,  and  many  a  link  in  that  eventful 
chain  was  bright  in  the  memory  of  this  ancient  female.  The  highway 
crossed  her  father's  land,  and  his  house  was  near.  On  that  memorable 
day,  she  stood  at  the  gate  sorrowing  over  the  hard  fate  of  the  retreat- 
ing army,  hastening  on  "  faint,  yet  pursuing." 

An  officer,  without  a  coat,  and  a  bundle  on  his  arm,  stepped  aside, 
and  piteously  asked  her  to  wash  a  vest.     "  Most  willingly,"  she  said  ; 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  47 

"  but  can  you  wait  for  it  to  dry  ?"  On  hearing  it  was  drenched  with 
the  blood  of  the  slain,  as  he  handed  it,  she  trembled,  turned  pale,  and 
shrunk  from  the  sight. 

There  was  a  draw-well  at  hand,  and  he  implored  her  to  lay  it  in 
water,  and  what  she  was  about,  to  do  quickly,  for  time  was  precious. 
This  vest  was  the  only  relic  of  his  valued  friend,  a  pure  patriot,  and 
brave  soldier,  who  had  fallen  on  that  day,  by  his  side,  and  the  sight 
of  it  was  too  grievous  to  retain  longer  in  that  state.  His  blood-stained 
garments  wei-e  sprinkled  by  the  noble  fellows  who  fell  on  his  right 
and  left,  while  he  escaped  unscathed.  His  desire  was  so  intense  to 
preserve  this  memento,  he  seized  it  dripping,  and  ran,  throwing  her  a 
silver  dollar.  She  was  indignant  at  the  offer  of  reward.  He  was 
gone,  and  the  precious  metal  was  so  rare  in  this  region,  that  she  laid 
it  aside  till  peace  was  proclaimed. 

"  This  female,  now  in  her  eighty-ninth  year,  is  a  remarkable  woman. 
Prosperity  and  adversity  have  fallen  to  her  lot ;  joy  and  sorrow  have 
been  mingled  in  her  cup.  8he  is  now  alone.  The  chastening  hand 
of  the  Almighty  removed  her  worthy  husband  in  the  prime  of  life  ; 
having  then  an  only  daughter,  who  was  the  staff  of  her  declining 
years.  In  all  this,  she  murmured  not,  but  fell  down  and  worshiped, 
saying,  "  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed  be 
the  name  of  the  Lord."  Dependent  on  the  bounty  of  friends  ;  living 
in  an  upper  chamber,  she  provides  for  herself  and  keeps  her  room 
neat  and  in  order.  Previously  to  this  year,  she  did  plain  sewing  for 
the  tailors.  She  goes  to  market,  and  regularly  attends  her  church 
and  religious  duties,  contented  and  cheerful.  She  feels  no  Avant,  and 
says  she  hath  faith  to  believe  that  her  bread  and  water  are  sure,  and 
when  her  strength  fails,  the  Lord  will  not  forsake  her. 

Once  during  this  season  it  was  proposed  to  cross  the  creek  and 
extend  our  walk  on  the  opposite  side.  There  seemed  no  doubt  of  her 
finding  the  boat-way.  But  we  were  warned  of  difficulty,  and  my 
mother  reluctantly  yielded  her  consent  to  this  pedestrian  excursion. 
The  sun  shone  auspiciously  on  a  dclighful  morning,  under  a  pure 
cloudless  sky.  We  sallied  forth  at  leisure,  admiring  the  richness  of 
the  scenery  as  wc  went  on.  The  foliage  had  changed  its  verdure  into 
diversified  hues ;  and  the  whole  forest  was  decked  in  brilliant  colors. 
Imperceptibly  we  entered  a  wild,  rugged  and  almost  trackless  way, 
that  turned  my  thoughts  to  a  backwoods  scene  of  a  terrific  wilder- 
ness, where  naught  was  heard  save  an  Indian  whoop,  or  roaring  of 
beasts  prowling  for  prey.     Our  fears  were  aroused  lest  the  footstep 


48  REMTNISCENCIEf^    OF    WILMINGTON. 

that  i)ut  in  luotiou  the  withered  leaves  might  turn  up  a  nest  of 
rattlesnakes, 

Ileniined  in  by  rocks,  we  lost  our  way.  Not  knowing  whither  to 
go,  we  began  to  feel  our  excursion  more  romantic  than  pleasant.  We 
were  hedged  in  too  by  bushes,  and  entangled  among  briers  that  clung 
to  our  dresses  and  dragged  us  back  as  we  scrambled  over  the  rocks, 
with  the  twigs  flapping  our  faces  and  scratching  our  limbs.  There 
was  no  way  to  retreat ;  we  must  struggle  through  and  progress  slowly 
with  no  brighter  prospect.  My  courage  was  on  the  wane  pretty  soon  ; 
and  now  the  little  stock  was  gone.  We  screamed  for  assistance,  but 
our  voi(!es  echoed  in  vain.  A  nervous  tremor  seized  us,  to  laugh  at 
one  moment,  and  the  next  cry  in  fear. 

After  passing  more  than  two  hours  in  this  sad  predicament,  we 
found  that  we  were  descending  a  steep  hill,  and  soon  heard  a  gurgling 
sound,  and  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  stream.  We  pushed  on  with 
renewed  vigor  to  reach  the  margin,  where  the  sight  of  a  man  crossing 
in  a  boat  cheered  our  drooping  spirits.  He  ferried  us  over  safe,  but 
could  not  give  us  any  information,  for  he  was  a  stranger  here. 

In  loneliness  and  weariness,  we  sat  down  on  a  mossy  rock  to  rest, 
and  to  meditate  on  our  adventurous  ramble,  "  and  what  will  ye  do  in 
the  end  thereof"  A  broken  road  was  near,  and  hope  buoyed  us  up 
that  some  oUe  might  thither  direct  their  steps.  We  no  more  desired 
to  try  our  luck  in  devious  ways  ;  steadily  watching,  at  length  we  saw 
the  shadow  of  a  carriage,  and  called  to  the  driver,  who  obligingly 
stopped  to  answer  our  questions. 

The  sun  was  in  the  meridian,  and  poured  down  on  the  road  in 
extreme  heat,  so  he  advised  us  to  pass  through  the  wood  carefully. 
The  path  was  intricate,  overgrown  with  brambles,  and  a  harbor  for 
snakes,  and  looked  as  if  never  trod  by  footsteps  ;  we  thought  it  more 
tolerable  to  endure  a  scorching  sun,  and  preferred  the  road.  This  man 
was  Mr.  Davis's  coachman,  who,  recognizing  me,  said  he  had  no 
immediate  duty  at  home,  and  could  take  us  the  two  miles.  His 
civility  was  gratefully  accepted,  and  we  stepped  into  the  carriage  with 
light  hearts,  and  soon  arrived  at  the  place  of  our  anticipated  visit, 
rejoicing. 

About  the  year  1800,  the  Messrs.  Dupont  &  Co.,  made  their  first 
purchase  here,  that  caused  rumors  to  float  through  the  country.  The 
farmer  was  at  his  wit's  end  to  conjecture  what  schemes  were  in  view. 
To  buy  a  l^arren  tract  of  rocks !  Avhy,  to  expend  cart-loads  of  money 
would  not  fit  it  for  tillage.     Others  pitied  the   strangers  for  wasting 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  49 

their  substance  in  wild  adventure,  and  when  the  blasting  of  rocks 
commenced,  said,  it  will  surely  exhaust  a  mint!  Yet  many  of  those 
farmers  lived  to  witness  mighty  obstacles  surmounted  ;  and  their  wise 
predictions  to  fail.  Neighboring  estates  have  been  enhanced  in 
value  ;  neither  has  ruin  befallen  the  projectors. 

There  was  no  house  to  be  had  near,  and  Mr.  Dupont  fitted  up  a 
cottage  for  the  family,  in  which  they  resided.  It  was  as  common  for 
snakes  to  crawl  to  and  drink  out  of  the  water  bucket  as  it  would  be 
in  a  backwoods  cabin.  What  ft  transition  to  those  persons,  from  the 
beauties  and  refinements  of  France,  to  the  rugged  woody  heights  and 
snaky  rocks  of  Brandywine  ! 

It  is  said  that  Mr.  E.  J.  Dupont's  house  was  built  of  the  stone 
from  a  single  rock,  on  the  spot  where  it  stands.  This  house  is  beauti- 
fully situated  on  the  brow  of  a  hill.  As  you  descend  by  the  road, 
suddenly  it  bursts  upon  the  sight,  adorned  by  clusters  of  forest  trees 
left  on  either  side.  From  a  balcony  you  overlook  the  powder-yard 
and  mills.  Here  hundreds  of  men  are  as  actively  engaged  as  the 
little  busy  bees  providing  their  winter  stores. 

Those  men  so  industriously  employed  are  no  doubt  buoyed  up  by 
the  hope  of  providing  stores  for  the  winter  of  life.  When  no  one 
dreams  of  it,  a  fatal  explosion  may  take  place,  and  in  the  twinkling 
of  an  eye  many  may  be  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  labor.  What  a  shock- 
ing spectacle  of  mortality  does  such  a  scene  exhibit;  confusion  and 
dismay  seize  the  multitude  ;  the  vicinity  is  thrown  into  a  panic.  Men 
who  cheerily  left  their  abode  full  of  life  and  hope  at  morning  dawn, 
ere  the  evening  shades  have  fallen,  have  become  a  terror  to  be  looked 
upon  by  their  dearest  relatives. 

However  feeble  the  effort,  we  will  attjempt  briefly  to  portray  the 
explosion  in  March,  1818.  About  ten  o'clock,  the  town  was  thrown 
into  consternation.  The  noise  burst  upon  the  eai*  like  the  report  of  a 
cannon,  and  the  earth  shook !  At  the  moment  crossing  King  and 
Second  Street,  my  attention  was  fixed  on  passengers  hastening  on  to. 
the  steamboat.  The  earth  trembled,  my  ear  was  stunned,  and  I  invol- 
untarily exclaimed,  "The  steamboat!"  Many  voices  echoed,  "Yes!. 
Milnor's  boat  full  of  passengers  is  blown  up!"  Men  and  women  ran. 
to  and  fro.  My  steps  were  bent  to  a  store  in  Second  Street,  where  a 
friend  was  waiting  for  me.  This  family  had  assembled  in  the  store, 
and  said  it  was  an  earthquake,  the  windows  shook  and  the  door  bell 
rang  aloud. 

We  hastened  homeward  almost  breathless,  hearing  on  the  way  it. 
7 


50  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

was  a  magazine  in  rear  of  our  dwellings,  opposite  the  Town  Hall.  A 
second  tremendous  report  seemed  to  lift  us  from  our  feet.  Now  we 
ascertained  it  was  the  powder-mills,  by  tlie  dense  black  smoke  rising 
in  piles  of  clouds,  and  gathering  into  a  column,  fold  upon  fold,  and 
twisting  into  a  cork-screw  shape,  varying  in  lights  and  shades,  stretched 
over  our  heads  and  seeming  to  totter  as  if  ready  to  fall  and  crush  all 
beneath.  Some  of  the  dark  folds  appeared  bespangled  with  stars, 
others  looked  like  brilliant  clusters  suspended  and  enveloped  by  a 
thin  mist,  shooting  out  and  twinkling  as  they  fell,  till  lost  in  the 
blaze  of  noonday.  This  scene  was  too  magnificent  for  ordinary 
powers  to  portray. 

Nearer  home  a  horseman  passed  in  full  gallop,  shouting  "  Raise 
your  windows !"  Another  followed  as  rapidly  and  cried,  "  Abandon 
your  houses,  the  grand  magazine  will  soon  explode."  Every  dwelling 
was  quickly  deserted,  even  by  the  domestic  animals.  Being  about  the 
hour  to  i^repare  dinner,  some  had  meat  on  the  fire,  others  had  it 
spitted,  and  in  the  general  confusion  much  was  thrown  on  the  floor, 
where  it  lay  untouched  for  three  hours  at  least. 

Friends  had  assembled  for  worship,  when  the  messenger  gave  the 
alarm  ;  and  as  a  rare  occurrence  they  left  the  meeting-house  in  a 
body,  and  walked  up  the  middle  of  the  street.  From  the  lower  part 
of  the  town,  not  a  few  women  and  children  fled  across  the  Christiana. 
Men  and  boys,  with  some  women,  ran  to  the  fatal  spot.  But  a  very 
large  group  of  women  and  children,  of  every  age,  class,  and  color, 
mingled  on  a  vacant  square  on  Market  Street.  Invalids  who  had  not 
been  out  of  their  house  all  winter,  and  the  aged  and  the  infirm  fled 
for  shelter  to  a  school-house  with  no  chimney.  The  March  wind  blew 
keenly,  yet  none  of  these  caught  cold,  so  intense  was  the  excitement. 

Amid  this  great  consternation,  it  might  truly  be  called  a  noiseless 
day !  Every  voice  was  hushed,  and  all  spoke  in  a  whisper ;  no 
noisy  mirth  or  crying  of  children  disturbed  the  quiet  sadness  of  the 
mixed  multitude.  The  dog  was  subdued  and  ceased  to  bark,  and  so 
softened  into  sympathetic  fear,  couched  at  his  owner's  feet.  Pacing 
of  horses  and  footsteps  were  the  only  sound  to  interrupt  the  awful 
silence,  while  memory  was  refreshed  with  the  descriptions  read  of 
earthquakes  in  by-gone  days,  when  danger  threatened  ;  the  people 
were  seized  with  despair,  and  in  profound  silence  awaited  the  sad  doom 
to  be  engulphed  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth. 

Intense  anxiety  was  depicted  in  each  countenance  to  hear  the  true 
statement.     At  one  o'clock,  the  thrilling  story  was  told  that  instanta- 


JREMimSCENCES    OF   WILMINGTON.  51 

neously  forty  souls  were  hurled  into  an  unknown  eternity ;  and 
fragments  of  their  mangled  bodies  were  scattered  over  the  face  of 
the  earth,  or  lodged  on  the  tops  of  trees ;  that  widows  and  orphans 
rent  the  air  in  wailing  and  lamentation,  as  they  stood  shuddering  over 
the  spot  of  this  appalling  tragedy. 

By  throwing  a  quantity  of  powder  into  the  water,  much  destruc- 
tion was  arrested,  and  many  lives  preserved.  It  was  extremely  peril- 
ous to  those  engaged,  and  those  whose  foresight  and  energy  had 
proposed  it,  among  whom  was  Marshal  Grouchy,  on  a  visit  to  the 
family.  Of  all  the  explosions,  this  one  was  the  most  terrific  and 
fatal. 

The  bereavement  of  the  widows  awakened  the  sympathies  of  E.  J. 
Dupont,  Esq.,  and  it  was  not  a  momentary  impulse.  He,  with  noble 
generosity,  allowed  to  each  one  an  annuity  during  her  widowhood, 
and  this  benevolence  was  faithfully  fulfilled,  and  continued  to  the 
few  who  remained  after  he  lay  mouldering  in  the  dust. 

Fine  mansions  now  adorn  this  rocky  spot,  clusters  of  cottages,  and 
hamlet  after  hamlet  rises  upon  the  view,  while  this  region,  more  than 
others,  exhibits  a  bustling  active  life  on  every  hand.  The  growing 
establishment  is  a  stong  evidence  of  the  ability  of  the  managers,  and 
of  the  spirit  which  influences  them.  Those  energetic  operations  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  Wilmington  have,  no  doubt,  added  to  its 
prosperity. 

In  the  year  1825,  Gen.  Lafayette  made  a  visit  of  a  few  days  to  the 
Messrs.  Dupont ;  and  with  those  gentlemen,  reviewed  the  battle- 
ground, Chad's  Ford,  of  which  he  bore  the  mark  of  a  brave  man. 
A  public  dinner  was  given  to  him  on  the  spot,  where  he  remarked 
the  astonishing  change  in  the  whole  region.  On  his  return  to  the 
mansion,  he  wrote  in  the  album  of  Miss  E.  Dupont  as  follows : — 

"After  having  seen,  near  half  a  century  ago,  the  banks  of  the 
Branywine  a  scene  of  bloody  fighting,  I  am  hap^y  now  to  find  it  the 
seat  of  industry,  beauty,  and  mutual  friendship. 

July  25th,  1825.  Lafayette." 

Here  the  Messrs.  Dupont,  Sen.,  in  life  were  highly  esteemed,  and 
in  death  lamented.  The  sudden  departure  of  those  gentlemen  were 
singular  coincidences,  alike  in  character  and  place.  E.  J.  Dupont 
died  in  the  autumn  of  1836,  and  his  remains  were  borne  through  the 
town,  on  the  eve  of  en  important  election.    The  political  storm  was 


52  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

calmed,  at. least  for  the  moment,  and  the  mingling  of  parties  to  pay 
their  last  respects  to  so  useful  a  character  was  expressive  of  the  loss 
the  community  had  sustained,  and  numerous  friends  sympathized  with 
the  bereaved  family.  One  who  cared  for  the  widow  and  orphan  was 
gone.     "  Behold  lie  taketli  away  ;  who  can  hinder  him." 

On  these  premises  is  a  large  school-house,  and  a  flourishing  Sunday 
school  has  been  opened  for  years,  under  the  superintendence  of 
Madam  Bauduy,  eldest  daughter  of  E.  J.  Dupont,  and  we  trust,  from 
this  little  source,  the  waters  of  life  have  flowed.  Here,  too,  the 
Gospel  is  regularly  preached  on  Sunday  afternoon. 

Young's  establishment  will  conclude  our  notice  of  the  Brandy  wine. 

In  1793,  William  Young,  a  worthy  Scotchman,  for  years  in  the 
book  business  in  Philadelphia,  erected  a  paper-mill  in  this  region. 

As  soon  as  Mr.  Young  became  interested  in  this  rocky  tract,  he 
built  a  house  for  public  worship,  in  a  romantic  spot,  and  it  is  really  a 
novelty.  The  floor  is  a  solid  rock,  and  the  crevices  filled  with  mortar 
and  the  rough  places  are  plastered.  "I  will  liken  him  unto  a  wise 
man,  who  built  his  house  upon  a  rock."  Being  eminently  pious,  he 
took  care  to  provide  a  pastor  to  feed  the  flock,  and  guarded  well  the 
sheep  of  his  pasture. 

A  fine  mansion  was  also  put  up  in  the  last  century,  and  improve- 
ments made  from  year  to  year,  and  the  numerous  cottages  soon 
changed  the  face  of  this  district.  Mr.  Young  was  one  of  the  first 
directors  of  the  steamboat  to  ply  hence  to  Philadelphia,  and  firmly 
opposed  traveling  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  during  his  life  it  lay  at  the 
wharf  on  Sunday.  His  place  was  called  Rockland.  In  the  midst  of 
usefulness,  death  summoned  him  to  leave  a  large  family  and  numerous 
cares.     Ho  too  was  lamented  as  a  public  loss. 

"  Whosoever  shall  confess  me  before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also, 
before  my  Father  who  is  in  heaven." 

The  old  mansion  of  James  Brindley,  on  this  side  of  the  Brandy- 
wine,  claims  our  passing  notice,  because  here  Gen.  Washington  took 
his  breakfast  on  the  morning  of  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  walking 
the  floor  in  deep  thought,  or  standing  with  his  cup  of  cofiee  in  his 
hand,  eating  little,  and  soon  hastening  on  to  Chad's  Ford.  James 
Brindley,  Jr.,  who  resides  here,  possesses  a  valued  relic,  a  lock  of 
Gen.  Washington's  hair ;  also  a  lock  of  his  lady's. 

Part  of  this  farm  was  owned  by  a  Swede,  T.  Stidham,  who  lived  to 
a  great  age,  the  life  of  a  hermit,  and  for  one  hundred  acres  of  arable 
land,  paid  the  proprietary  agent  one  bushel  of  wheat  yearly,  quit  rent. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  63 

The  Stilley's  lived  to  a  great  age;  they  were  descendants  of 
Swedes.  One  female  of  this  family  regularly  attended  the  old  church 
in  her  eighty-fourth  year,  and  walked  more  than  three  miles.  There 
are  many  families  in  this  district  whose  ancestors  were  Swedish  colo- 
nists— Hendrickson,  Armstrong,  Poulson,  Springer,  &c.  Some  of 
those  farmers  retain  much  of  the  ancient  simplicity  of  the  fathers, 
and  we  add  with  pleasure  that  they  are  respected  by  the  community 
for  integrity  of  character  and  honest  dealing.  One  evidence  of 
similarity  between  father  and  son  is  very  strongly  depicted  by  a 
recent  incident.  At  the  close  of  the  year  1849,  this  parish  was  visited 
by  a  Swedish  minister  just  eight  years  from  home.  This  was  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Unonius,  the  first  Swede  who  preached  here  since  the  Rev.  Law- 
rence Girelius  left  Wilmington  in  1791. 

This  gentleman's  attention  was  arrested  in  Trinity  Chapel  by 
seeing  an  old  member  of  the  congregation,  and  a  wealthy  farmer, 
walk  up  the  aisle  to  his  pew.  Mr.  Unonius  thought  his  whole  appear- 
ance precisely  such  as  he  had  been  accustomed  to  in  his- fatherland — 
dress,  manner  of  laying  down  his  hat,  and  fixing  his  whip.  Beside, 
he  said  his  overcoat  must  have  been  made  in  Sweden,  for  it  was  their 
exact  pattern  for  centuries  past,  and  even  his  collar  was  fixed  as  they 
were  worn.  He  became  so  excited  that  he  could  scarcely  retain  his 
seat,  as  he  felt  himself  indeed  among  his  brethren. 

The  settlements  of  the  Swedes  on  the  Delaware  preceded  those  of 
the  English  by  many  years,  and  the  emigrants  who  came  were 
remarkable  for  an  amiable  character  and  an  integrity  which  very 
much  descended  to  their  posterity ;  there  were  four  churches,  which 
were  for  a  long  time  under  the  government  of  the  diocese  in  Sweden, 
and  ministers  were  appointed  from  there.  The  Swedish  churches 
were  this  Trinity  Church  at  Christiana,  and  the  three  old  Swedes 
churches  in  Pennsylvania — at  Philadelphia,  at  Moyamensing,  and  at 
the  Swedesford  on  the  Schuylkill. 


7* 


CHAPTER   lY. 

King's  Road— Bancroft  Woodcock— Dr.  James  Tilton,  Sen'.  — Old  Letter- 
Caesar  A.  Rodney,  Esq.— Dutch  Dolly —Fine  Scenery— Col.  Townsend— Carl 
Christopher  Springer— Old  Cottage— J.  Springer— Introduction  to  the  Sixth 
Generation  of  liis  Pastor. 

We  now  leave  the  Brandywiue,  cross  the  small  bridge,  and  walk 
up  the  "Old  King's  Road."  On  the  left  is  the  new  cemetery,  extend- 
ino-  to  the  Kennett  turnpike,  in  which  are  many  interments,  and  some 
improvements  in  trees  and  shrubbery.  Yon  new  house  at  your  right, 
pleasantly  si-tuated  on  rising  ground,  belongs  to  Mrs,  Lovering,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  Shallcross,  who  was  a  true  patriot  in  the  day  of 
his  country's  trial.  A  century  has  passed  since  he  bought  this  farm 
for  five  hundred  dollars.  Our  notice  of  him  will  be  included  in  the 
revolutionary  part  of  our  narrative,  therefore  we  pass  on  and  view  the 
fine  prospect. 

Here  hills  over  hills  arise ;  well  improved  farms,  with  good  build- 
ings ;  entering  the  town  by  the  Kennett  road  as  the  sun  descends 
beyond  the  western  hills,  with  its  dazzling  beams  glittering  on  the 
windows  of  houses  towering  over  others,  we  have  a  most  magnificent 
sight,  exceeding  any  illumination,  for  fine  and  extended  scenery  is 
added  to  it. 

Yon  stone  edifice  towering  so  high,  with  a  copse  of  evergreen  on 
the  south  side,  was  once  the  hospitable  mansion  of  Doctor  James 
Tilton.  But  it  seems  in  place  to  notice  his  predecessor,  Bancroft 
Woodcock,  of  whom,  I  believe,  he  purchased  it — it  was  then  called 
Bancroft's  or  Federal  Hill.  This  person  was  a  remarkably  plain, 
stifi"  looking  Friend,  reminding  one  of  bones  and  sinews,  yet  famous 
for  his  agility.  In  skating  he  excelled  the  youths  of  his  day ;  no  one 
could  equal  him.  It  was  a  novel  sight  to  see  such  a  person  flourishing 
on  the  ice,  and  mid  boys  and  youths,  performing  feats  to  the  amaze- 
ment of  beholders.  He  was  celebrated  for  this  exercise,  and  often 
displayed  his  skill  and  graceful  movements  on  the  Delaware,  opposite 
Philadelphia.     He  was  also  famous  for  walking.     He  lived  to  a  very 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  56 

old  age,  and  was  so  thin  that  old  people  used  to  say  he  would 
evaporate. 

Long  before  the  Revolution  he  was  a  noted  silversmith  here.  In 
1774,  he  made  plate  for  my  mother;  his  workmanship  was  superior. 
Half  a  century  ago  he  removed  to  Redstone,  then  called  the  back- 
woods. Years  after  this,  Mrs.  Lea,  returning  from  Pittsburg,  was 
recognized  by  him  on  his  way  from  monthly  meeting,  to  and  from 
which  he  walked  seventeen  miles  in  one  day  every  month.  Then  he 
was  a  mere  shadow.  He  afterwards  more  than  once  walked  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  died  about  thirty  years  ago. 

When  Doctor  Tilton  became  owner  of  this  farm,  it  was  called 
Federal  Hill,  then  Tilton's  Hill,  next  changed  to  Bellvue,  as  the  view 
is  commanding ;  it  overlooks  the  city,  rivers,  and  fine  meadows  on  the 
east,  with  the  surrounding  country  for  miles.  From  the  top  of  the 
house  and  from  the  adjoining  farm  there  is  a  distinct  view  of  four 
States  ;  and  from  the  chimney,  as  the  sun  sets,  Christ  Church  steeple 
in  Philadelphia,  nearly  thirty  miles  distant,  can  be  plainly  seen  with 
the  naked  eye.  When  the  Doctor  enjoyed  good  health,  he  had  an 
excellent  garden  and  abundance  of  choice  fruit,  and  freely  shared  it 
with  his  friends.  To  pass  so  prominent  a  character  would  be  inex- 
cusable ;  yet  to  describe  one  so  original,  and  to  do  him  justice,  exceeds 
my  powers  for  description. 

In  making  the  experiment  it  would  be  cause  of  regret  were  any 
other  impression  given  than  that  he  was  a  Christian,  a  scholar,  and  a 
gentleman  ;  though  if  I  may  be  allowed  the  expression,  I  will  say  the 
latter  without  polish.  His  person  was  above  six  feet ;  dark  li^ir ; 
keen  black  eyes;  very  dark,  swarthy  complexion;  loud,  quick,  and 
coarse  voice  ;  an  unwavering  patriot ;  well  tried,  and  faithful  to  his 
country's  cause — an  old  bachelor  of  the  fisst  order;  finished  in  the 
art  of  chewing  tobacco,  yet  always  in  pleasant  humor;  no  misan- 
thrope ;  he  loved  the  society  of  ladies,  and  they  enjoyed  their  visits  to 
partake  of  his  fruit,  and  many  well  remember  his  baked  pears  and 
milk,  which  he  called  his  "  Virgilian  suppers  ;"  neither  tea  nor  coflTee 
was  used  at  his  establishment;  a  professed  democrat  of  the  old 
school,  carrying  out  fully  his  views  ;  living  on  the  produce  of  his 
farm;  wearing  homespun  (so  called);  admonishing  others  to  do  the 
same  to  encourage  and  protect  domestic  manufactures. 

As  a  practicing  physician,  he  was  justly  esteemed  ;  with  nervous 
persons  he  was  eminently  successful  in  arousing  their  depressed  spirits 
by  his  eccentricities  ;  advising  delicate  females  to  lay  aside  their  lady 


56  Reminiboences  of  Wilmington. 

airs,  and  learn  to  spin  on  the  big  wheel  stocking  yarn  for  the  family, 
or  go  to  a  farm-house,  milk  cows,  and  attend  to  the  dairy — making 
themselves  useful  was  the  only  remedy  for  their  restoration  to  health. 
In  the  Revolution,  Dr.  Tilton  was  a  surgeon — in  the  last  war,  surgeon- 
general. 

The  evening  of  his  return  from  Washington,  with  his  commission, 
Mrs.  E.  Massey  and  I  walked  to  the  hill,  met  him  in  good  spirits, 
and  were  much  amused  at  his  description  of  a  visit  to  the  White 
House.  He  said,  on  entering,  he  was  surprised  ^o  be  an  object  of 
notice,  for  he  soon  observed  the  ladies  were  in  a  broad  grin,  and  the 
drawing-room  was  crowded.  He  could  not  imagine  why  he  attracted 
their  attention,  being  well  dressed,  in  that  handsome  thunder  and 
lightning  coat  you  ladies  (meaning  us)  have  seen  me  wear  to  church. 

We  both  exclaimed,  "  Not  that  coarse  tow  linen  coat,  doctor ! 
Why,  it  is  only  fit  for  a  floorcloth."  "  Yes,  surely."  "Can  it  be 
possible,  doctor,  you  went  to  the  President's  in  that  dress  ?  Why, 
they  have  taken  you  for  an  Indian  chief!"  Then  his  tobacco  quid 
flew  the  whole  length  of  the  hall,  with  his  head  thrown  back  on  his 
chair,  and  such  a  loud  roar  of  laughter,  not  exactly  like  anything 
but  himself,  he  replied,  "  There  is  no  doubt  the  jades  did." 

Next  day  he  dined  with  Mr.  Madison,  "  met  the  foreign  ministers 
all  the  secretaries  and  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  dressed  in  British 
cloth,  and  buttoned  up  to  the  chin,  bedizened  with  gold  lace,  puffing 
and  sweating,  the  blockheads;  while  I  with  my  handsome  thun- 
der and  lightning  coat,  was  cool  as  need  be.  '  Why,  doctor,'  said, 
they,  '  you  do  not  appear  to  feel  the  heat,'  '  Neither  would  you,  if 
dressed  as  you  ought  to  be,  in  such  nice  homespun  as  this,'  "  tossing 
up  the  corner  of  his  coat. 

By  some  means,  the  doctor  hurt  his  knee,  during  the  last  war,  and 
it  became  very  painful ;  then  a  white  swelling  ensued,  and  after  a 
prolonged  state  of  great  suffering,  his  limb  was  amputated,  which  he 
bore  with  Christian  fortitude. 

When  the  wound  was  healed,  he  directed  a  cradle  made  of  enor- 
mous size  to  rock  him  in  for  exercise,  and  a  wagon,  drawn  by  a  strong 
man,  was  his  only  conveyance  to  and  from  town,  visiting  his  friends 
in  this  vehicle. 

The  doctor  was  likewise  a  member  of  the  olden  Congress,  when 
none  but  honorable  men,  or  those  whose  capabilities  had  been  tested, 
were  thought  of,  to  make  laws  and  manage  the  affairs  of  State,  and; 
when  riotous  scenes  and  displays  of  valor  were  never  witnessed  in  the . 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  57 

legislative  halls.  "  When  good  men  are  in  authority,  the  people 
rejoice."  "When  others  rule,  "  the  people  mourn."  "Remember,  O 
Lord,  what  is  come  upon  U3,  how  many  may  say  we  are  orphans  and 
fatherless.  Our  mothers  are  widows,  because  of  the  sword  of  the 
wilderness."  "  Turn  tlien  us  unto  thee,  0  Lord,  and  we  shall  be 
turned,  and  renew  our  days  as  of  old." 

The  followinar  is  a  letter  from  Doctor  Tilton  to  Hon.  G.  Bedford : 


Annapolis,  Christmas  day,  1783. 

Dear  Sir: — Yon  will  have  published  at  large  the  General's 
speech  of  resignation,  with  the  President's  reply,  &c.  I  will  endeavor 
to  give  you  some  sketch  of  the  manner  in  whirh  this  business  was 
conducted,  and  assist  your  imagination,  if  I  can,  to  finish  the  picture 
which  the  ne.xt  newspapers  will  probably  present  to  you,  by  the  time 
this  letter  arrives. 

The  General  came  to  town  last  Friday,  and  announced  his  arrival, 
by  letter,  to  Congress,  requesting  to  know  in  what  manner  they  chose 
he  should  resign  his  authority,  whether  by  private  letter,  or  public 
•audience.  The  latter  was  preferred  without  hesitation.  Some  eti- 
quette being  settled  on  Saturday,  a  public  dinner  was  ordered  on 
Monday,  and  the  audience  to  be  on  Tuesday. 

The  feast  on  Monday  was  the  most  extraordinary  I  ever  attended. 
Between  two  and  three  hundred  gentlemen  dined  together  in  the  ball- 
room. The  number  of  cheerful  voices,  with  clangor  of  knives  and 
forks,  made  a  din  of  very  extraordinary  nature,  and  a  most  delightful 
influence.  Every  man  seemed  to  be  in  heaven,  or  so  absorbed  in  the 
pleasures  of  imagination  as  to  neglect  the  more  sordid  appetites,  for 
not  a  soul  got  drunk,  thoug^i  there  was  wine  in  plenty,  and  the  usual 
number  of  thirteen  toasts  drank,  besides  one  given  afterwards  by  the 
General,  which  you  ouj;;ht  to  be  acquainted  with.  It  is  as  follows; 
"  Competent  powers  to  Congress  for  general  purposes." 

In  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  the  Governor  gave  a  ball  at  the 
State  House.  To  light  the  rooms  every  window  was  illuminated. 
There  the  company  was  equally  numerous,  and  more  brilliant,  consist- 
ing of  ladies  and  gentlemen.  Such  was  my  villainous  awkwardness, 
that  I  could  not  venture  to  dance  on  this  occasion.  You  must  there- 
fore annex  to  it  a  cleverer  idea  than  is  to  be  expected  from  such  a 
mortified  whelp  as  I  am. 

The  General  danced  in  every  set,  that  all  the  ladies  might  have  the 
8 


6^  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

pleasure  of  dancing  with  hitn,  or,  as  it  has  since  been  handsomely 
expressed,  "  get  a  touch  of  him." 

Tuesday  morning  Congress  met,  and  took  their  seats  in  order,  all 
covered.  At  twelve  o'clock,  the  General  was  introduced  by  the  Sec- 
retary, and  sDated  opposite  tho  Presidsnt,  until  the  throng  that  filled 
all  the  avenues  were  so  disposed  of  as  to  behold  the  solemnity.  The 
ladies  occupied  the  gallery,  as  fall  as  it  would  hold;  the  gentlemen 
crowded  below  stairs.  Silence  ordered  by  the  Secretary,  the  General 
ros:i  anrl  bowed  to  Congress,  who  uncovereJ,  but  did  not  bow.  He 
then  delivered  his  spe3ch,  and  at  the  close  of  it,  drew  his  commission 
from  his  bosom  and  handed  it  to  the  President.  The  President  replied 
in  a  set  speech;  The  General  bowed  again  to  Congress;  they  uncov 
ered  and  the  General  retired. 

After  a  little  pause,  until  the  company  withdrew,  Congress  ad- 
journed. The  General  then  stepped  into  the  room  again;  bid  every 
member  farewell,  and  rode  off  from  the  door,  intent  upon  eating  his 
Christmas  dinner  at  home. 

Many  of  the  spectators,  particularly  the  fair  ones,  shed  tears  on 
this  solemn  and  affecting  occasion.  Sir  Robert  Eden  and  Mr.  Harford 
attended  very  respectfully.  They  were  also  at  the  public  dinner  and 
the  dance ;  and  Master  Harford  was  so  gay  as  to  say  that  he  would 
show  away  if  the  Slate  would  give  him  anything  to  do  it  with. 

Before  this  comes  to  hand,  President  V.  Dyke  will  make  you 
acquainted  with  an  express,  s^nt  by  Congress,  to  the  executives  of  all 
the  unrepresented  States  to  the  eastward,  viz.,  Jersey,  New  York,  and 
Connecticut.  President  V.  Dyke  was  addressed  among  the  rest, 
because  Mr.  McComb  informed  Congress  he  could  stay  no  longer  than 
until  next  day  after  to-morrow,  when  we  shall  not  have  a  Congress. 

As  soon  as  you  arrive,  Mr.  Ellery*  j^oposes  to  demonstrate  that 

the  story  of  the  Isle  of  France  is  an  arrant  falsehood,  and  that  both 

latitude  and  longitude  have  been  discovered  in  Delaware.     For  the 

honor  of  the  State,  then,  make  haste. 

I  am,  dear  sir. 

Your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

JAMES  TILTON. 
Hon.  G.  Bedford. 

As  so  lively  an  interest  is  felt  in  all  the  incidents  and  anecdotes 
accompanying  the  career  of  General  Washington,  it  may  be  acceptable 


♦William  Ellery,  a  Senator  from  Rhode  Island  in  the  first  Congress. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  69 

as  a  part  of  these  reminiscences  to  insert  from  the  original  the  address 
of  the  burgesses  and  citizens  of  Wihnington  to  the  General  on  his 
passage  through  the  borough  towards  Mount  Vernon,  after  the  revolu- 
tionary contest  had  ended  aud  peace  and  prosperity  had  been  thus 
renewed  to  our  country. 

The  address  is  unrivaled  as  a  composition  ;  and  having  never  before 
appeared-  in  print,  may  be  duly  estimated.  It  was  probably  written 
by  Jacob  Broom,  Esq.,  who  Avas  an  eminent  and  talented  citizen  of 
the  State  of  Delaware,  and  has  been  loaned  for  this  purpose  to  the 
author  by  her  friend  Thomas  Gilpin,  who  has  the  original.  General 
Washington's  answer  to  this  address  is  also  given  from  the  original, 
and  is  consistent  with  that  dignity  and  modesty  which  always  accom- 
panied his  services  and  character. 

To  His  Excellency,  George  Washington,  Esq.,  General  and  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency — The  Burgesses  and  Common 
Council  of  the  Borough  of  AVilmington,  in  behalf  of  themselves 
and  the  inhabitants  thereof — 
Being  penetrated  with  sentiments  of  the  most  perfect  respect,  beg 
leave  to  approach  and  to   be  permitted  to  congratulate  your  Excel- 
lency, that  your  glorious  endeavors  to  rescue  our  country  from   a 
determined  plan  of  oppression  have  been  not  only  attended  with  the 
most  brilliant  success,  but  crowned  with  the  noble  rewards  of  liberty, 
independence,  and  the  final  accomplishment  of  an  honorable  peace. 

When  wc  reflect  on  the  magnitude  of  the  object  for  which  we 
contended,  and  the  greatness  of  the  power  we  had  to  oppose,  the  bold- 
est among  us  have  sometimes  shudilered  at  the  prospect,  while  your 
magnanimity  was  our  invincible  shield  on  the  most  gloomy  occasions. 
Convinced  that  our  humble  talents  cannot  express  in  language 
suitable  to  the  subject,  either  (he  grateful  sensations  we  feel  in  the 
contemplation  of  your  great  and  eminent  services,  or  the  love  and 
admiration  of  your  many  amiable  virtues  which  fill  the  bosom  of  the 
friends  of  freedom  in  America  and  in  distant  nations,  yet,  rather  than 
wound  that  delicacy  which  would  receive  with  reluctance  even  less 
than  our  duty  and  inclination  prompt  us  to  mention,  wc  will  conclude 
with  embracing  this  opportunity  of  j;)ining  the  general  voice  of 
America,  which  hails  you  as  "  the  deliverer  of  our  country;"  aud  we 
flatter  ourselves  you  will  believe  that  our  most  fervent  wishes  will 


60  Reminiscences  of  'Wilmington 

accompany  your  illustrious  and  long  meditated  retirement,  with  the 
enjoyment  of  health,  tranquility,  and  every  other  felicity. 

And  permit  us  to  indulge  the  pleasing  hope,  that  even  in  the 
serene  enjoyment  of  that  retirement  which  will  astonish  mankind 
little  less  than  the  splendor  and  greatness  of  your  services  ;  that  with 
a  parental  consideration,  your  excellency  will  occasionally  contribute 
your  advice  and  influence  to  promote  tiiat  harmony  and  union  of  our 
infant  governments  which  are  so  essential  to  the  permanent  establish- 
ment of  our  freedom,  happiness,  aud  prosperity. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  burgesses  and  cnmraon  council. 

JOSEPH  SHALLCROSS, 

Town  Cierh. 
Deoembee  IG,  1783. 

To  the  Burgesses  and  Common  Council  of  the  Borough  of  Wilmington. 

Gentlemen  : — I  earnestly  wish  to  convince  you  of  the  pleasure  I 
take  in  reciprocating  your  congratulations  on  our  glorious  successes, 
and  the  attainment  of  an  honorable  peace. 

Although  the  prospect  of  our  public  affairs  has  been  at  sometimes 
gloomy  indeed,  yet  the  well-known  flrmness  of  my  countrymen,  and 
the  expected  aid  of  Heaven,  supported  m.z  in  the  trying  hour,  aud 
have  finally  realized  our  most  sanguine  wishes. 

In  the  course  of  yuur  address,  you  have  sufficiently  convinced  me 
of  your  ability  to  excite  very  pleasing  emotions  ;  and  you  must  permit 
me  to  say,  that  the  genuine  approbation  of  my  fellow-citizens  is  far 
more  satisfactory  than  the  most  lavish  econiums  would  be. 

Under  a  deep  impression  of  your  generous  sentiments  and  wishes, 

I  return  to  a  long  meditated  retirement.     And  let  me  assure  you, 

gentlemen,  though  I  shall  no  more  appear  on  the  groat  theatre  of 

action,  the  welfare  of  our  infant  States  can  never  be  indifferent  to  me. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 
Wilmington,  December  IG,  17S3. 

The  stone  house  on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  called  Cool  Spring,  was 
the  country  seat  of  Caesar  A.  Rodney,  Esq.,  a  name  well  known  in  this 
State,  as  afllixed  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  by  being  an  uncle 
to  this  gentleman  of  whom  we  speak.  Mr.  Rodney  commenced  his 
youthful  career  in  this  town,  and  was  a  successful  lawyer.  His  popu- 
larity advanced  him  to  a  seat  in  Congress  ;  and  being  noticed  by  those 
in  power,  he  was  soon  appointed  to  higher  honors.    The  first  was  U. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  61 

S.  Attorney-General,  when  arrangements  were  made  to  remove  his 
family  for  part  of  the  year  to  Washington.  A  frail  vessel  was  char- 
tered and  loaded  with  furniture,  his  valuable  library,  and  many 
expensive  articles,  and  sailed  from  Brandywine,  he  waiting  to  hear  of 
their  arrival  before  his  family  left. 

On  Sunday  morning  at  the  breakfast-table,  Mr.  R.  observed  that 
day  he  hoped  to  hear  from  the  captain  ;  Mrs.  R.  replied,  "  You  will 
hear  of  his  vessel  being  wrecked,"  and  then  went  on  to  relate  her 
dream  the  previous  night.  He  entreated  her  not  to  notice  such 
follies.  However,  she  was  but  concluding,  when  an  exprass  entered 
the  house  to  inform  him  that  the  vessel  was  on  shore  near  Chinco- 
teague.  Their  goods  were  partly  saved,  but  in  a  damaged  state. 
This  disaster  prevented  their  removal. 

Mr.  Rodney  was  a  prominent  politician,  a  democrat  of  the  old 
school,  and  an  advocate  for  the  establishment  and  protection  of  domes- 
tic manufactures;  though  his  views  did  not  extend  to  the  table,  as  did 
his  friend's  the  Dr.  He  enjoyed  the  luxuries  of  life ;  and  was  equally 
hospitable  in  sharing  his  dainties  with  his  guests;  and  sustained  the 
character  of  a  kind  neighbor  and  benevolent  man. 

He  was  appointed  on  a  special  mission  to  South  America,  accom- 
panied by  Dr.  Baldwin,  a  respectable  botanist,  and  returned  in  a  few 
months  having  been  successful  in  his  duties.  His  last  commission  was 
minister  to  Buenos  Ayres.  He  sailed  from  here  with  his  family,  in  the 
frigate  Congress,  Com.  Biddle,  arrived  safe,  and  was  most  graciously 
received.  His  feeble  health  was  not  improved  by  a  long  sea  voyage; 
however,  change  of  climate  in  a  few  months  seemed  so  favorable  that 
he  gained  strength,  and  was  much  encouraged. 

Preparations  for  a  large  evening  party  were  made,  and  the  family 
anticipated  much  pleasure,  pleased  to  acknowledge  the  compliments 
paid  to  them  in  a  strange  land.  As  the  setting  sun  withdrew  his  rays, 
every  heart  was  gay  and  joyous.  The  music  and  the  dance  soon 
enlivened  the  brilliant  assembly. 

But  oh!  what  a  thrilling  scene  chills  the  heart  to  relate.  Amidst 
the  festivities  of  the  night,  an  unexpected  messenger  arrives,  like  a 
bold  assassin  ;  lays  his  icy  hand  of  death  on  a  beloved  father ;  and 
the  morning  sun  arose,  and  threw  its  light  over  the  inanimate  form, 
but  the  buoyant  spirit  had  fled  forever  ;  and  a  mantle  of  gloom  cast 
over  the  abode,  and  the  bereaved  family  shrouded  in  sorrow.  "The 
joy  of  our  heart  is  ceased;  our  dance  is  turned  into  mourning;  the 
crown  is  fallen  from  our  head."  Alas,  how  agonizing!  what  a  melan- 
8* 


62  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

choly  change  in  the  short  space  of  twelve  hour?,  with  the  decorations 
of  the  preceding  evening  in  full  view.  The  last  sorrowful  arrangements 
were  preparing  for  the  funeral  solemnities.  An  affectionate  husband, 
a  fond  father,  cut  off'  so  suddenly  to  mingle  with  the  dust  in  a  foreign 
soil,  and  there  be  left  to  slumber  in  the  tomb,  by  a  widow  and  eleven 
fatherless  children,  far  from  friends  and  home,  a  vast  ocean  rolling 
between. 

Thus  ended  the  earthly  career  of  a  public  character,  deserving  of 
remembrance.  His  remains  were  interred  with  all  the  respect  and 
honor  due  to  himself  and  the  nation  he  represented.  The  family  in 
a  few  days  embarked  for  this  country,  and  arriving  safe  in  1824, 
were  affectionately  received  by  kind  friends,  who  did  sympathize  in 
sorrow  with  those  among  whom  they  had  so  often  mingled  in  scenes 
of  joyous  pleasure. 

On  the  borders  of  Cool  Spring,  there  is  yet  a  relic  of  antiquity,  a 
log  cabin,  built  by  one  of  the  early  settlers,  Hance  Naff,  from  Swit- 
zerland, who  died  here  in  old  age,  and  his  widow  died  in  this  cottage 
at  the  advanced  age  of  95. 

On  the  Kennett  road,  opposite,  was  the  last  earthly  dwelling-place 
of  his  son  Hance  Naff  and  wife,  a  respectable  pair,  who  lived  a  long 
life  together,  in  great  harmony.  And  Mrs.  Mary  Naff,  will  be  long 
remembered  as  a  good  neighbor,  a  kind  and  faithful  friend  in  sickness 
and  sorrow,  as  they  lived,  the  one  to  the  age  of  eighty,  and  the  other 
to  eighty-four.  *'  They  came  to  their  grave  in  a  full  age,  as  a  shock  of 
corn  Cometh  in  its  saxsou,"  leaving  many  descendants  to  mourn. 

The  old  time-worn  stone  house  below  was  long  the  homestead  of 
Joseph  Shallcross,  whom  we  before  noticed.  On  this  same  road,  near 
Kodney's  gate,  is  an  old  shanty,  occupied  not  many  years  ago  by  an 
English  woman,  Mrs.  Russel,  whose  only  companions  were  her  dog 
and  cow,  both  useful  members  of  the  family.  But  poor  Piedy 
had  double  duty  to  perform ;  her  mistress  raised  some  vegetables, 
which  she  cultivated  with  her  own  hard,  and  a  few  apple  trees  grew 
near,  which  bore  pretty  good  fruit;  with  these  she  attended  market  in 
a  small  light  cart.  "Wednesday  and  Saturday,  tlie  little  old  cow 
was  fastened  with  ropes  to  the  vehicle,  and  the  trio  jogged  down 
Market  Street  side  by  side,  when  they  took  the  stand,  and  sales  began; 
Piedy  was  milked,  and  this  dainty  sold  to  those  who  chose  to  buy. 

Mrs.  R.  and  dog  were  regular  attendants  at  Trinity  Church,  and 
whoever  accommodated  her  must  admit  her  little  friend,  not  always 
a  pleasant  neighbor.     If  the  sexton,  never  too  amiable,  by  chance 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  ^ 

met  them  at  the  door,  and  gave  the  dog  a  kick  and  refused  him  admit- 
tance, an  affray  would  ensue ;  for  the  old  lady,  with  her  stick,  was 
ready  for  defence  when  her  pet  was  assailed,  and  would  not  enter 
without  him.     Some  one  had  always  to  go  forward  as  a  peace-maker, 

A  stroll  along  this  western  way  will  recall  to  memory  many  of 
the  olden  ones  of  the  last  century,  who  passed  away  as  the  morning 
cloud  or  early  dew,  and  those,  too,  who  stood  on  high  places,  and  are 
remembered  in  the  annals  of  their  country  ;  all  will  have  a  passing 
remark  who  were  useful  ii  their  day,  whether  they  filled  the  chair  of 
Stctte  or  won  laurels  in  the  field  to  advance  their  country's  glory,  or 
tilled  the  land  to  produco  bread  to  feed  the  hungry,  or  by  professional 
skill  healed  the  wounded  or  relieved  the  sick,  or  labored  in  the  garden 
to  supply  the  table;  all  were  useful  members  of  society,  whose  indus- 
trious habits  contributed  much  to  their  neighbors'  comfort. 

The  occupant  of  that  decayed  frame  on  your  right  cultivated  a 
most  excellent  vegetable  garden.  Half  a  century  is  passed  since  Mrs. 
K.  regularly  supplied  the  market  with  her  produce,  finding  ready 
sale,  for  it  was  the  best  of  its  kind,  and  impressed  by  a  good  name 
with  few  to  rival  her  in  business.  She  pursued  it  with  spirit  and 
success. 

B.  S.,  also  on  the  Newport  Road,  served  the  market  with  excellent 
vegetables  for  a  long  period.  But  Dutch  Dolly  was  a  formidable 
rival,  living  in  town,  and  her  garden  on  the  corner  of  King  and 
Hanover  Streets  had  the  precedence,  as  persons  could  send  there  any 
time  of  day  and  have  fresh  articles  to  order.  All  the  old  and  middle- 
aged  persons  who  have  lived  in  this  vicinity  remember  little  old  Dutch 
Dolly,  with  her  quilted  calico  cap,  and  basket  upon  her  head,  filled  with 
radishes,  lettuce,  &c.,  and  her  steady  quick  step,  passing  through  the 
streets  as  she  daily  served  families,  and  was  sure  of  a  hearty  welcome, 
for  the  market  was  not  plentiful  as  at  present.  Many  vegetables  now 
used  were  then  unknown,  such  as  the  tomato,  egg-plant,  and  a  variety 
of  others  introduced  here  since,  and  raised  by  the  French  emigrants. 
Dolly  was  a  dignified  little  woman  in  her  own  way,  as  you  will  be 
informed. 

After  knowing  her  during  a  long  life  by  no  other  name,  how 
amazed  was  I  on  hearing  she  was  really  Mrs.  Anna  Dorothea  Vertz. 
Frederick  Vertz  was  a  tailor,  and  followed  his  trade,  sat  on  a  table 
opposite  a  window,  with  a  bag  of  onions  hung  over  his  head,  a  cup  of 
salt,  and  a  loaf  of  bread  at  hand.  When  hungry,  he  would  cut  and 
eat  these  for  his  dinner,  but  Dolly  provided  plentifully  for  breakfast 


64  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

and  supper.  They  had  no  children  and  left  a  handsome  property; 
and  although  ho  was  not  Frederick  the  Great,  his  title  was  once  Fred- 
erick the  Great,  Fortune  Teller,  who  predicted  events  by  astronomical 
signs. 

And  as  Mrs.  Vertz  was  the  better  half,  she  would  not  allow  her 
house  to  be  disgraced  by  this  black  art;  and  the  young  people,  ever 
ready  to  be  informed  what  should  befall  them  \a  their  later  years, 
waited  patiently  till  she  passed  on  with  her  basket,  then  one  stood 
sentinel,  and  if  she  came  homa  unexpectedly,  there  was  a  scampering 
over  fences,  and  out  of  windows  to  escape,  and  as  the  last  resort,  even 
to  play  bo-peep  under  his  table  as  she  went  through  to  her  garden. 
An  old  lady,  often  one  of  the  company  in  her  youth,  described  the 
scene  as  very  amusing.     This  folly  was  declined  long  before  his  death. 

Dolly  had  descended  from  a  family  of  consequence  in  Holland, 
and  brought  over  many  valuable  articles  of  clothing,  &c.,  and  some 
money.  When  figuring  as  Mrs.  Vertz  in  her  holiday  dress,  she  was 
the  admiration  of  the  rising  generation,  for  many  had  never  seen  such 
splendid  equipments.  A  black  silk  velvet  hood,  and  boddice  of  the 
same,  her  petticoat  a  suparior  desp  blue  cloth,  the  whole  dress  trimmed 
with  rich  gold  lace,  and  two  rows  of  gold  fringe  on  the  skirt,  left  no 
trace  of  little  old  Dutch  Dolly  in  her  calico  cap.  She  died  in  good 
old  aga,  and  wai  iatarrad  in  th3  Swadas  Camatery. 

Although  thos3  parsons  moved  in  an  humble  sphere,  and  died  in 
old  age  unheeded,  naught  could  ba  said  against  their  fair  reputation. 
How  much  more  useful  are  such  members  of  a  community,  and  think 
you  not  more  honorable  and  happy  than  many  young  men  high  born 
and  well  educated,  who  spend  a  listless  life,  waiting  for  an  inheritance 
on  the  death  of  a  relative;  or  bowing  to  the  powers  that  be  for  a  lu- 
crative office,  or  hanging  on  to  the  wheel  of  fortune,  hoping  the  next 
turn  may  toss  them  to  top;  or  still  worse,  aiding  in  election  frauds  to 
obtain  a  place  which  merit  has  denied,  and  when  those  airy  castles 
have  crumbled  into  dust,  and  all  visionary  schemes  vanished,  too  often 
resort  to  the  gaming-table  and  to  intemperance? 

Yes,  we  have  heard  of  those  who  once  promised  fair  to  be  an  hon- 
or to  their  friends,  after  disappointed  hopes,  and  every  evil  resort  had 
failed,  filched  their  neighbors'  pockets  by  some  dishonorable  act,  and, 
even  more  horrid,  raised  the  assassin's  dagger,  ending  their  mis  spent 
life  within  the  gloomy  w'alls  of  a  prison,  or  mayhap  a  cheerless 
dungeon. 

Alas,  we  knoAv  nothing  of  ourselves;  remember,  when  the  prophet 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  66 

looked  upon  Hazael  and  wept,  he  said,  "Why  weepeth  ray  Lord?" 
"Because  I  know  the  evil  thou  wilt  do  to  the  children  of  Israel." 
And  when  he  had  foretold  all,  Hazael  said,  "What!  is  thy  servant  a 
dog,  that  he  should  do  this  great  thing?"     Yet  it  all  came  to  pass. 

"Therefore,  trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  thine  heart,  and  acknow- 
ledge him  in  all  thy  ways,  and  he  shall  direct  thy  path." 

Along  this  ridge  the  view  is  beautifully  varied  with  its  hills  and 
dales,  improved  farms,  overlooking  the  little  "city  built  on  a  hill,' 
containing  fourteen  thousand  and  more  inhabitants,  extending  from 
the  Christiana  to  the  Brandy  wine,  with  many  places  of  public  worship, 
and  its  wharves,  vessels  loading  and  unloading,  as  they  proceed  to  sea 
or  return  from  a  long  voyage;  others  in  building;  then  bridges;  and 
for  miles  you  can  see  the  famous  river  Delaware,  and  other  navigable 
streams,  bearing  on  their  waters  fleets,  from  the  noble  ship  of  the  line 
Pennsylvania,  the  largest  Avar  ship  ever  built,  to  the  most  trifling  craft 
that  floats. 

Extensive  meadows,  affording  rich  pastures  for  grazing  numerous 
herds,  here  and  there  interspersed  with  lots  of  luxuriant  grain,  steam- 
boats and  railroad  cars  in  constant  motion ;  the  noted  Brandy  wine 
mills,  factories,  and  foundries,  the  old  ferry,  the  only  way  to  cross  the 
Christiana  in  days  gone  by,  and  the  once  famed  rocks,  the  first  settle- 
ment of  the  colonists.  Then  the  old  Swedes  church,  though  last,  not 
least  cared  for;  and  its  more  ancient  cemetery,  where  lies  the  infant  of 
days,  and  the  man  of  an  hundred  years;  now  an  extensive  chain  of 
Jersey  woods,  like  the  blue  mountains,  bounds  your  prospect  on  the 
east,  all  contributing  to  ornament  this  unrivaled  landscape  in  variety 
of  scenery. 

The  white  house  on  the  right  was  built  by  Judge  Way;  it  is 
beautifully  situated,  some  distance  from  the  Lancaster  road;  on  the 
right  is  a  stone  house,  that  was  once  the  residence  of  Col.  Ann  Louis 
De  Tousard,  a  distinguished  French  officer,  who  served  in  our  revolu- 
tion, and  lost  an  arm.  He  purchased  and  removed  to  this  farm  in 
1793.  Finding  the  walls  damp,  he  had  frames  made  with  canvass 
drawn  over,  and  let  into  the  plaster.  Some  of  his  distinguished  guests 
amused  themselves  by  painting  landscapes,  birds,  and  flowers,  very 
beautifully,  sufficient  to  cover  the  wails  of  three  rooms.  The  work 
being  varnished  very  highly,  was  preserved  well;  it  was  there  a  few 
years  since,  and  may  be  still,  over  fifty  years'  standing.  Madame  De 
Tousard  died  in  the  year  '94  on  this  farm ;  she  was  cut  down  in  youth- 
ful bloom,  leaving  a  young  family  to  lament  the  loss  of  a  mother,  and 
9 


66  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

a  most  worthy  and  accomplished  lady.    She  was  interred  in  the  old 
Swedes  cemetery. 

The  lane  above  leads  to  an  antique  log  cabin,  which  has  stood 
more  than  an  hundred  and  twenty  years.  Long  after  it  was  inhabited, 
a  room  was  added  of  stone,  by  Joseph  Springer,  who  was  born  and  died 
here.  He  was  a  descendant  of  Carl  Christopher  Springer,  whose  his- 
tory is  very  romantic.  It  appears  he  went  to  London,  in  the  suite  of 
the  Swedish  Ambassador,  and  resided  in  his  family.  On  riding  home 
one  evening,  he  was  siezed,  put  on  board  a  vessel,  which  sailed  for 
Virginia,  where  he  was  sold  for  five  years.  After  serving  out  his  time, 
he  came  among  his  brethern  here,  where  he  was  most  graciously 
received  as  a  well-educated  man ;  was  promoted  to  trusts  of  consequence 
with  the  colonists. 

This  descendant  was  a  plain  honest  farmer,  and  his  wife  so  great  a 
manager  that  they  supplied  the  market  with  excellent  provision;, 
leaving  ample  for  family  use,  and  to  entertain  a  host  of  guests,  enjoy- 
ing society,  and  providing  bounteously  ;  they  secured  to  the  old  time- 
worn  tenement  its  share  to  overflowing.  The  old  lady  had  a  passion 
for  flowers,  with  skill  and  taste  to  cultivate  plants  successfully ;  and 
on  her  visits  to  Philadelphia,  would  purchase  rare  flowers  to  ornament 
her  garden,  and  they  were  beautifully  and  tastefully  arranged. 

Having  no  children,  they  brought  up  many  orphans  in  industrious 
and  useful  employments,  and  to  those  they  bequeathed  their  estate. 
The  old  lady  lived  over  eighty  years,  and  few,  indeed,  passed  through 
so  regular  a  life;  no  changing  events  ever  seemed  to  disturb  her 
repose,  till  she  went  the  way  of  all  the  earth. 

Mr.  Springer  long  survived  her.  Some  months  previous  to  his 
death,  Mr.  Monges,  accompanied  by  his  sister-in-law,  Miss  L.  G.  and 
myself,  rode  out  to  this  relic  of  ancient  days,  and,  having  the  pleasure 
to  preside  on  this  occasion,  I  thus  addressed  the  sire:  "We  are  pleased 
to  introduce  to  your  notice  this  infant,  Cora  Monges,  the  sixth  genera- 
tion in  a  maternal  line  from  your  once  worthy  rector  of  Trinity  church, 
the  Rev.  Petrus  Trauberg,  whom  you  remember." 

On  receiving  \er  in  his  arms,  the  old  man's  eyes  flashed  with  joy; 
and,  with  the  most  expressive  pleasure,  he  thanked  us  for  such  unex- 
pected attention,  and,  with  deeply  excited  feelings,  related  events  of 
olden  times;  how,  in  the  midst  of. the  Avinter  frosts  and  heavy  snows, 
his  mother  would  mount  one  horse,  and  his  father  another,  with  him 
behind,  plunge  through  the  deep  snow  to  church,  where  no  fire  was 
seen,  and  listen  to  a  long  sermon,  then  ride  home  two  miles,  ere  they 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  67 

warmed.     Well  he  remembered  Mr.  Trauberg's  pastoral  visits  to  the 
family. 

Saying,  "There,"  as  he  pointed  to  an  immense  fire-place,  "stood  at 
each  corner  a  block  cut  from  the  stumji  of  a  tree,  planed  smooth  and 
scoured  every  day ; — if  it  was  damp  weather,  Mr.  Trauberg  sat  on  one 
of  these  to  dry  his  feet,  and  my  father  on  the  other,  and  in  the  Swedish 
language  talk  about  their  fatherland."  Mr.  S.  lived  ninety-two  years, 
and  died  an  "old  man  full  of  years,"  and  was  gathered  to  his  fathers 
in  the  Swedes  Cemetery. 


OHAPTEE    V. 

Almshouse  Inmates— Of  High  Order— IVIr.  B. — M.  Martel— Mrs.  B.— Bmut 
March  2oth,  1804 — Tamar  "Way — Frederick  Craig — Mantua— Delamore 
Place — Col.  Davis— Tusculum — J.  M.  Broom,  Esq. — Dr.  Read— Dr.  Martin 
— Richardsons— Latimers — Swedish  Families— July  4th,  1794— Celebration. 

After  our  long  rambles  and  enjoyments  of  pleasant  prospects  of 
land  and  water,  the  rural,  the  busy,  and  the  gay,  we  have  come  to  a 
resting-place,  where  we  ^-ill  tarry  a  season,  and  improve  the  time  in 
conversing  of  the  changing  scenes  of  life,  which  some  of  the  inmates 
of  this  useful  establishment  have  passed  through. 

To  many  this  has  been  a  happy  home,  whose  humble  pilgrimage 
never  led  them  to  soar  above  things  within  their  reach,  and  here, 
supplied  with  food  and  raiment,  they  were  content.  The  necessaries 
of  life  are  amply  provided — physicians  and  nurses  for  the  sick  and 
afflicted.  An  excellent  house  kept  with  cleanliness,  and  well  ordered 
by  a  kind  matron.  The  situation  is  healthy ;  a  fine  vegetable  garden, 
and  cultivated  farm  add  much  to  the  comfort  of  the  dependents.  All 
the  beautiful  scenery  described  is  presented  to  your  view;  so  we  may 
exclaim  with  the  psalmist,  "Thou,  O  God,  hast  prepared  of  thy  good- 
ness for  the  poor.  Thou  waterest  these  ridges  with  soft  showers,  so  that 
the  little  hills  rejoice  on  every  side.  The  pastures  are  clothed  with 
flocks,  the  valleys  also  are  covered  over  with  corn." 


68  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

And  there  have  been  those  here,  too,  who  in  the  morning  of  life 
never  thought  that  the  evening  close  should  pass  in  an  almshouse. 
Their  day-star  rose  with  a  cloudless  sky,  and  the  sun  in  splendor  gilded 
their  noontide  with  honor,  riches,  home,  and  friends.  But,  alas,  as  the 
sun  declined  in  the  horizon,  all  their  earthly  grandeur  and  comfort 
were  overshadowed  by  the  dark  cloud  of  adversity.  Not  even  a  home 
was  left  to  shelter  their  defenceless  heads,  when  the  cold  hand  of 
charity  tendered  this  asylum  wherein  to  end  the  night  of  their  weary 
pilgrimage. 

Three  such  persons,  inmates  of  this  dwelling,  were  personally 
known  to  me,  two  in  the  last  century,  and  one  early  in  this.  The  first 
was  a  sad  reverse  of  fortune  that  rarely  occurs.  Somewhere  about 
1789,  an  aristocratic  English  family  flourished  in  this  town;  luxurious 

plenty  crowned  their  board,  enlivened  by  cheerful  guests.     was 

a  merchant  in  London,  where  he  married  a  lady  of  a  noble  family. 
The  connection  was  ofiensive  to  her  relatives,  which  induced  them  to 
emigrate.     Wilmingtoji  at  that  time  being  a  place  of  some  commerce, 

they  chose  it  for  a  residence.     was  a  shipping  merchant  here 

for  years,  and  had  under  his  special  care  a  relative  of  his  wife,  the  son 
of  a  lord,  heir  to  the  title,  and  a  very  large  estate.  Being  a  reckless 
youth,  his  father  hoped  to  reclaim  him,  and  during  his  exile  allowed 
him  two  guineas  a  day ;  towards  the  close  of  his  sojourn  here  it  was 
reduced ; — all  was  unavailing. 

In  a  few  years  this  unhappy  youth  returned  to  the  land  of  his 
nativity  with  Captain  T.  Mendenhall.  On  the  second  voyage  to 
Liverpool,  Capt.  M.  visited  him  in  prison,  where  his  agonizing  distress 
so  interested  the  sympathies  of  the  captain  that  he  went  to  London  to 
solicit  relief  from  the  youth's  father,  and  had  an  interview  with  the 
noble  lord,  who  declined  all  intercourse  with  his  wretched  son,  whose 
feeble  frame  could  no  longer  sustain  the  weight  of  grief,  and  his  sad 
career  was  soon  ended  within  the  prison  walls. 

"Rejoice,  O  young  man,  and  let  thy  heart  cheer  thee.  Walk  in 
the  ways  of  thy  heart,  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes.  But  know 
thou,  that  for  all  these  things  God  will  bring  thee  to  Judgment." 

's  houshold  was  most  expensive ;  a  train  of  servants  at- 
tended, and  three  nui'ses  waited  upon  the  children.  Two  incidents  are 
fresh  in  memory  that  portray  prosperity  and  adversity — in  the  style  of 
dress  at  each  period. 

Being  at  their  house  when  a  child,  Mrs. 's  dress  was  my 

admiration.     A  light  blue  satin  gown,  gauze  apron  and  handkerchief; 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  69 

a  high  crowned  cap ;  blue  silk  shoes  worked  with  white,  and  high 
French  heels,  was  her  daily  attire.  Soon  after  this  they  returned  to 
England.  On  the  eve  of  their  departure,  one  of  their  children  died. 
It  was  shrouded  in  fine  flannel ;  and  the  coffin  was  a  straight  box 
covered  with  black  cloth,  the  first  perhaps  ever  seen  here,  and  bound 
with  silver,  the  age  and  name  inscribed  on  a  plate.  It  was  a  young 
child,  and  interred  in  the  Swedes  cemetery  ;  and  Mr.  Girelius  was  the 
officiating  minister. 

Some  years  after,  they  came  to  reside  here  a  second  time  ;  and 
during  the  prevalence  of  the  fever,  in  '98,  being  in  a  house  high  up 
town,  a  female  entered  the  back  gate,  and  inquired  of  me  for  the  host. 
Her  dress  was  a  calico  short  gown,  dark  worsted  petticoat,  and  coarse 
shoes  ;  a  man's  hat  on  her  head.  Her  manner  was  so  like  a  lady  that 
I  inquired  who  she  was.     The  answer  startled  me.     Don't  you  know 

Mrs. ?     Never   was  I   so  amazed.     The   contrast  of  the  two 

figures,  even  now,  is  present  to  my  imagination. 

Governor  Dickinson  was  a  kind  friend  in  their  poverty,  and  often 
expressed  regret  for  their  extravagant  habits.  When  the  lowly 
cottage  was  obscured  by  the  clouds  of  adversity,  known  only  by  the 
charitable,  who  came  to  supply  their  scanty  fare,  or  to  soothe  the 
sorrows  of  declining  years.  The  old  gentleman  died  in  this  alms- 
house. No  immorality  caused  this  extreme  penury.  "  Happy  is  the 
man  whom  God  correcteth."  "  We  are  but  of  yesterday,  and  know 
nothing,  because  our  days  upon  earth  are  sorrow." 

The  second  character  was  a  distinguished  individual,  who  fled 
from  France  during  the  tragical  days  of  the  Revolution  of  '89,  '90, 
and  in  this  country  sought  an  asylum.  His  pre-eminent  knowledge  of 
language — a  proficient  in  fifteen — with  a  wonderful  facility  to  com- 
municate what  he  knew,  acquired  a  fame  for  teaching  that  had  never 
been  equaled  in  Boston  or  New  York,  whither  he  came  from  to  seek 
rest  from  his  great  labors  in  this  quiet  kittle  town. 

Many  of  the  honorable  in  all  these  places  were  his  pupils  ;  and 
here  likewise  he  taught  persons  of  every  age,  and  numerous  appli- 
cants daily  were  dismissed.  Amidst  his  usefulness,  paralysis  seized 
him,  from  which  he  never  recovered.  He  forgot  every  language 
except  French,  which  was  so  great  a  difficulty  to  persons  with  whom 
he  boarded,  no  one  was  willing  to  undertake  the  charge,  consequently 
he  was  removed  to  this  institution. 

It  is  proper  to  state,  in  justice  to  many  young  gentlemen  who  were 
his  pupils,  that  all  his  comforts  were  regarded  with  strict  attention. 
9* 


70  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Having  been  preceptor  to  Miss  Theodosia  Burr,  and  the  intimate 
friend  of  her  lather,  he  had  taught  this  lady  five  languages,  and  to 
her  dedicated  his  works.  During  his  affliction.  Col.  Burr,  Vice  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States,  in  the  zenith  of  his  glory,  was  on  a  visit  in 
town. 

Two  young  gentlemeu  deeply  interested  for  this  destitute  stranger, 
called  upon  the  honorable  sir- to  present  Michael  Martel's  sad  condi- 
tion. His  answer  was,  "  I  know  him  not."  He  observed  their  sur- 
prise, and  saw  his  own  letter  of  introduction  in  their  hand,  then  said, 
"  I  own  I  wrote  that  letter  when  I  knew  him  ;  but  I  know  him  no 
more."  How  little  we  know  what  a  day  may  bring  forth  ;  for  the 
same  epithet  was  very  soon  applied  to  Col.  Burr.  Those  who  honored 
him  then  knew  him  no  more. 

M.  Martel  was  regardless  of  money.  When  he  received  a  sum 
would  throw  it  aside  carelessly,  or  give  freely  for  charity,  refusing 
none  ;  he  took  no  care  for  the  future  ;  trusted  all  to  the  honor  of  his 
pupils,  and  kept  no  account ;  aod  this  indifference  to  business  matters 
left  him  penniless.  He  compared  his  fondness  for  teaching  to  the 
love  of  persons  for  cultivating  flowers  ;  and  often  remarked  that  he 
would  rather  pay  young  persons  fond  of  study  for  the  pleasure  of 
teaching  them  than  for  any  sum  to  teach  an  idle  stupid  youth.  In 
old  age  death  summoned  him  to  the  tomb,  leaving  no  one  to  mourn. 

"A  homeless  exile  here  his  poverty  bespeaks, 
And  hoary  locks  proclaim  his  lengthened  years, 

For  many  a  fun'ow  in  his  grief -worn  cheek 
Has  been  the  channel  to  a  flood  of  tears." 

The  last  one  of  the  three  named  was  an  only  daughter  of  a  pro- 
fessional gentleman  of  great  acquirement,  and  of  a  noble  Scotch 
family.  She  was  well  educated,  handsome  and  refined  ;  of  course  a 
belle  ;  and  previous  to  the  revolution  married  a  colonel  in  the  British 
army.  While  New  York  was  in  possession  of  the  enemy  they  lived 
there  in  the  midst  of  gayety.  Soon  after  peace,  he  died,  leaving  her 
a  competency.  But  on  his  grave  the  sun  of  her  prosperity  set  to  rise 
no  more. 

Feeling  her  isolated  condition  as  a  lonely  widow,  she  turned  her 
thoughts  to  the  home  she  had  left  with  an  affectionate  husband, 
surrounded  by  worldly  affluence  and  pleasure.  Years  had  rolled  on, 
when  she  engaged  in  a  second  marriage  with  a  dissipated  man, 
every  way  her  inferior,  who  soon  squandered  all  her  substance  within 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  71 

his  grasp,  and  died,  leaving  her  poor  indeed,  with  only  a  scanty- 
annuity,  not  in  his  power  to  touch. 

To  aid  her  future  support,  she  proposed  to  do  plain  sewing,  and 
came  to  reside  in  this  town.  Her  dwelling  was  in  our  neighborhood, 
and  she  was  an  acquaintance  of  my  mother's  in  early  days,  who  was 
a  guest  at  her  first  wedding.  Several  times  she  called  at  our  house  to 
solicit  mother's  interest  to  procure  work,  without  making  herself 
known.  Years  had  glided  them  down  the  stream  of  time,  and  each 
one  had  passed  through  many  trials  and  vicissitudes  in  life,  with  its 
sorrows  and  cares,  now  overtaken  by  the  infirmities  of  age,  no  traces 
of  her  youthful  beauty  being  left. 

But  mother  seemed  to  have  a  presentiment  that  the  old  lady  had 
seen  better  days,  and  would  express  much  anxiety  to  know  more  of 
her;  and  say,  "Who  could  that  person  be?"  and  look  so  sad  ;  some 
time  had  elapsed  without  seeing  her.  Mrs.  Roache  called,  and  in 
conversation,  said,  "  Mrs.  M.,  do  you  recollect  Miss ?"  "  Per- 
fectly," was  the  reply.  She  then  related  her  story,  ending  at  the 
almshouse. 

"  For  months  she  was  your  neighbor,  and  resolved  to  inform  you 
of  her  situation  ;  with  that  intention  called  upon  you  ofttimes,  but 
feeling  so  sensitive  it  was  still  deferred,  your  kind  manner,  always 
treating  her  like  a  lady,  and  the  sadness  that  clouded  your  brow,  as 
she  solicited  work,  was  so  touching,  that  she  felt  as  if  her  heart  would 
rend  unless  she  retired  to  give  vent  to  her  agitated  feelings." 

Mrs.  Roache  was  a  stranger  to  her  abode,  till  accidentally  they 
met  at  the  almshouse.  This  was  deeply  affecting,  and  it  was  much 
regretted  by  those  ladies,  that  one  who  once  was  esteemed  so  lovely 
and  attractive,  brought  up  in  the  lap  of  indulgence,  known  in  the 
bloom  of  youth,  midst  affluence,  should  now  in  sorrow  and  poverty  be 
within  their  reach  and  receive  no  relief.     Soon  after  this  interview 

with  Mrs.  R ,  her  faculties  were  benumbed,  and  reason  left  her 

forever.  "  Cast  me  not  off  in  the  time  of  old  age ;  forsake  me  not 
when  my  strength  faileth."  "  I  am  old  and  gray-headed,  O  God." 
"  Thou  who  hast  showed  me  great  and  sore  troubles,  shalt  quicken  rae 
again,  and  shalt  bring  me  up  again  from  the  depths  of  the  earth." 

This  almshouse  was  built  in  1792  ;  the  laud  attached  to  this  estab- 
lishment was  presented  by  John  Stapler,  a  Friend  ;  the  first  building 
was  about  the  size  of  one  wing,  and  was  burnt  down  ISIarch  25th, 
1804,  then  rebuilt  and  enlarged.  Within  a  few  years,  two  structures 
have  been  added ;  one  for  the  insane,  another  for  the  colored  population. 


72  Reminiscences  of  Wilminoton. 

Half  a  century  has  glided  on  the  stream  of  time  since  an  insane 
woman,  of  great  physical  strength,  confined  in  one  of  these  cells, 
would  by  some  means  loose  her  chains  and  escape  to  town,  and  do 
incredible  acts  of  destruction  before  she  was  caught ;  always  com- 
menced by  breaking  windows,  next  unharness  horses,  and  unload 
heavy  wagons  ;  cut  the  rigging  of  ships,  loose  them  from  the  wharf, 
and  throw  overboard  everything  within  her  grasp.  Her  flight  was  as 
swift  as  the  wings  of  an  eagle,  none  could  equal  her  speed ;  she  was 
never  caught  till  exhausted  by  fatigue.  This  woman  was  a  living 
terror  to  the  children.  Indeed,  her  visits  were  so  dreaded  by  all  the 
inhabitants  that  it  was  common  to  close  the  doors  and  Windows  when 
Tamar  Way  appeared. 

Frederick  Craig  managed  this  house  for  years  with  great  propriety 
and  good  order.  He  was  a  printer  here  in  early  life,  then  engaged  in 
commerce.  Death  spared  him  eighty-five  years  in  possession  of  his 
faculties  ;  with  a  most  astonishing  memory,  he  was  the  chronicle  of 
past  events,  and  considered  a  loss  even  in  advanced  age.  Through  all 
the  changes  of  life  he  was  esteemed  a  respectable  townsman.  "  Re- 
member the  days  of  old,  consider  the  years  of  many  generations ;  ask 
thy  father,  and  he  will  shew  thee  ;  thy  elders  and  they  will  tell  thee." 

Opposite  to  the  almshouse  was  the  estate  of  Hannah  Stalcup,  the 
descendant  of  a  wealthy  Swede.  She  was  long  deranged  and  confined 
in  her  hwn  house,  but  at  times  would  make  her  escape,  to  the  terror  of 
the  children.  Though  mischievous,  she  was  inoffensive  compared  with 
Tamar  Way.  Her  paternal  inheritance  was  valuable,  and  it  was 
supposed  that  riches  caused  her  insanity,  which  continued  to  her  death. 
A  part  of  her  property  is  now  owned  by  Rev.  S.  M.  Gailey,  a  Presby- 
terian clergyman,  who  has  a  respectable  classical  school  there,  and 
calls  his  residence  Mantua. 

A  little  beyond  this,  on  rising  ground,  a  property  was  purchased 
by  John  Warner,  who  built  a  fine  mansion,  which  was  sold  in  an 
unfinished  state,  and  is  now  owned  by  Col.  Samuel  B.  Davis,  who 
commanded  at  the  defence  of  Lewistown,  Delaware,  in  the  last  war, 
and  was  presented  by  the  legislature  with  an  elegant  sword  for  his 
services.     This  is  beatifully  situated,  and  called  Delamore  Place. 

The  gate  below  is  the  way  to  Tusculum.  This  mansion  was  built 
by  James  M.  Broom,  Esq.,  for  his  residence.  At  an  early  age  Mr.  B. 
was  elected  a  representative  to  Congress,  by  an  undivided  vote  of  the 
electors  of  his  district.  His  ancestors  were  here  in  olden  times,  arid 
his  father  was  engaged  in  commerce  for  many  years  in  Wilmington, 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  73 

and  represented  this  State  in  framing  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States.  As  Delaware  was  the  first  State  in  the  consummation  of  that 
great  event,  we  trust  she  will  ever  hold  fast  those  principles  which 
entitle  her  to  as  high  honors  as  any  of  her  overgrown  sister  States  ; 
and  though  she  be  small  in  territory  she  may  be  gigantic  in  noble 
deeds. 

This  house  is  modern,  handsome,  and  well  situated.  Part  of  the 
forrest  trees  are  left  on  two  sides  with  great  taste ;  amongst  these  are 
the  dogwood  of  unusual  growth,  which,  when  in  blossom,  are  magnifi- 
cent. You  have  there  all  the  fine  scenery  that  is  presented  on  this 
ridge,  and  it  could  scarcely  be  rivaled  in  beauty  were  it  highly 
improved.  Mr.  Broom  practiced  law  in  Delaware,  and  honorably 
represented  the  State  ;  his  family  were  of  the  old  Federal  party  ;  he 
Ls  now  ranked  among  the  most  able  and  respectable  lawyers  of 
Philadelphia,  whither  he  went  more  than  thirty  years  ago. 

Tusculum  was  purchased  by  Dr.  Martin,  a  most  estimable  man,  an 
adopted  son  of  a  worthy  Presbyterian  clergyman,  Dr.  T.  Read,  who 
ofificiated  in  his  profession  in  this  town  for  many  years,  and  was 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  One  of  Dr.  Read's  peculiar  traits  of 
character  was  to  speak  evil  of  none ;  if  another  dared  to  do  so  in  his 
presence,  though  what  they  said  might  be  the  truth,  he  could  find  in 
every  one  some  good  as  a  set-off".  In  his  religious  views  he  was 
opposed  to  controversy,  and  said  he  had  never  seen  other  than  evil 
arise  from  it. 

During  the  last  war,  when  the  British  made  an  attack  upon  Lew- 
istown,  an  express  was  sent  here  for  aid,  which  threw  this  quiet  town 
into  a  state  of  commotion,  and  as  a  number  of  the  men  obeyed  the 
call,  leaving  here  on  Sunday  morning,  the  churches  were  left  empty. 
In  the  afternoon  Dr.  Read  preached  an  excellent  sermon,  from  a  very 
appropriate  text,  "And  the  messenger  came  to  Saul,  saying,  haste  ye 
and  come,  for  the  Philistines  have  invaded  the  land."  He  died  full 
of  years,  and  at  peace  with  all  mankind.  By  example  following  the 
precept  of  the  Apostle  Paul,  "  If  it  be  possible  as  much  as  lieth  in 
you,  live  peaceably  with  all  men."  Dr.  Read  was  the  first  Presby- 
terian missionary  in  the  lower  counties  of  Delaware. 

Some  time  after  his  death,  this  place  became  the  home  of  his 
widow,  who  lived  with  her  beloved  adopted  son.  Afterward  her  son- 
in-law,  John  Connel,  Esq.,  purchased  it,  and  she  continued  there  with 
her  daughter  to  the  end  of  her  long  life,  (eighty-three  years).  It 
may  seem  useless  to  speak  of  a  person  so  well  known  and  recently 
10 


74  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

departed  ;  yet  a  small  passing  tribute  is  due  to  the  memory  of  a 
friend,  whom  we  knew  well,  loved  much,  and  passed  days  and  weeks 
with,  and  feel  that  wo  had  an  interest  in  her  prayers,  and  a  place  in 
her  affections,  and  always  instructed  by  her  holy  life. 

Mrs.  Read,  though  long  in  feeble  health,  was  very  active  in  the 
performance  of  domestic  duties  ;  with  cheerfulness  adorning  the 
Christian  life  by  her  labors  of  love  in  the  cause  of  her  Redeemer, 
giving  a  word  in  season  with  such  meekness  and  affection  as  to  leave 
an  impression  kindly  received  and  long  remembered.  No  one  was 
above  her  reach  nor  beneath  her  notice.  She  felt  that  each  one  had 
an  immortal  soul,  winging  its  flight  to  eternity,  and  used  to  say  she 
was  a  missionary  in  her  own  house,  and  must  give  a  word  in  season  to 
her  numerous  guests. 

To  the  Hon.  Henry  Clay  she  once  observed,  "  You,  sir,  I  presume, 
are  seldom  approached  on  the  subject  of  personal  religion;  as  I  am 
advanced,  and  feel  it  all  important,  permit  me  to  entreat  you,  who 
have  so  long  devoted  your  talents  to  the  good  of  your  country,  and  so 
nobly  and  recently  resigned  your  crown  of  honor  to  a  friend,  to  spend 
the  remnant  of  your  days  in  your  Heavenly  Father's  service,  and  be 
zealously  affected  in  searching  the  Scriptures,  and  preparing  for  that 
better  world  to  which  you  are  fast  hastening,  to  secure  the  crown  of 
righteousness  which  fadeth  not  away."  His  kind  reply  was  soothing 
to  her  warm  heart.  A  year  afterwards  she  received  the  most  gracious 
message  from  him  on  the  remembrance  of  her  excellent  advice. 

A  singular  incident  in  the  life  of  Mrs.  Read  was  sensibly  im- 
pressed on  her  mind,  and  in  conversation  with  me  she  often  reverted 
to  it.  Living  on  Bohemia  Manor,  she  was  subject  to  chills,  and  was 
sent  to  board  at  a  farm-house  near  the  Brandywine  Springs  for  the 
benefit  of  the  water  and  a  change  of  air.  Every  day  she  rode  on 
horseback  with  young  company  boarding  there  for  the  same  object. 
Being  gay  and  thoughtless,  in  riding  through  the  country,  they  often 
entered  these  woods,  and  she  thought  the  very  spot  where  her  house 
stood  was  an  opening.  The  scenery  so  enraptured  her,  that  her  com- 
panions would  often  have  to  force  her  away,  saying,  "  You  must  think 
it  Paradise  ;"  her  reply  was,  "  Yes,  Paradise  enough  for  me,  were  it 
my  dwelling  place." 

At  the  close  of  summer,  she  arrived  at  home  with  renewed  health, 
and  married  Dr.  Read,  who  lived  in  the  lower  part  of  New  Castle 
county.  In  a  few  years  they  came  to  Wilmington,  where  he  died,  and 
in  this  favored  spot  her  days  were  ended,  and  with  the  Psalmist,  she 


ItEMimSGENGES    OF   WILMINGTON.  75 

could  exclaim,  "  This  is  my  rest,  here  will  I  dwell,  for  I  have  desired 
it."  "  I  know  thy  works  and  charity,  and  service,  and  faith  unto 
death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life." 

More  than  fifty  summers  have  winged  their  flight  since  the  fourth 
of  July  was  celebrated  in  these  woods,  not  by  a  political  clique,  but 
as  a  national  day  of  joy,  on  the  anniversary  of  a  great  event.  This 
is  an  ancient  custom  on  record,  "  The  Jews  assembled  at  Shushan,  and 
rested  from  their  enemies,  w^herein  the  days  were  turned  unto  them 
from  sorrow  to  joy,  and  from  mourning  to  a  good  day;  and  they 
ordained  that  these  two  days  should  be  kept  yearly  without  fail, 
throughout  all  generations,  as  days  of  feasting  and  joy,  and  of  send- 
ing portions  one  to  another,  and  gifts  to  the  poor,  as  a  memorial  of 
the  noble  resolution  of  Queen  Esther,  saying,  *  If  I  perish,  I  perish,' 
on  presenting  her  petition  to  the  King,  to  interpose  his  authority,  and 
rescue  the  devoted  people  from  the  impending  slaughter," 

Modern  record  states  that  our  Congress  rested  at  Annapolis,  in 
Dec.  1783,  and  received  the  resignation  of  the  noble  defender  of  their 
rights  (Washington)  with  feasting  and  joy,  after  seven  years'  war, 
wherein  many  of  the  flower  of  the  nation  had  fallen,  and  others  had 
been  led  captives  to  foreign  lands.  Now  peace  was  confirmed,  the 
prisoner  released,  and  the  weary  soldier  at  rest.  Then  it  was  pro- 
claimed that  the  fourth  of  July  should  be  kept  yearly  as  a  day  of 
feasting  and  gladness,  to  commemorate  the  deliverance  of  this  nation 
from  foreign  aggression, 

1794,  July  4th.  The  morning  was  bright  and  promising  ;  in  those 
days  ladies  were  guests,  and  after  dinner  children  united  in  their 
festivities,  and  the  gleanings  were  left  for  the  poor  of  the  land.  All 
went  on  merrily,  amid  the  roar  of  cannon  and  dinof  military  music, 
till  the  banquet  was  announced ;  then  cheerful  faces  and  keen  appe- 
tites surrounded  the  plenteous  board,  and  did  justice  to  the  choice 
viands  suited  to  every  taste  ;  patriotic  toasts  Avere  given,  and  the 
dinner  concluded  with  national  songs. 

When  about  to  rise  from  the  animating  scene,  as  the  sun  was 
declining  in  the  western  horizon,  a  black  cloud  rose,  that  soon  spread, 
and  wrapt  the  whole  firmament  in  darkness  ;  distant  rumbling  thun- 
der came  nearer  and  louder,  with  vivid  lightning  most  terrific  ;  then 
a  mighty  wind,  sweeping  everything  around,  scattering  the  fragments 
of  the  dinner,  uprooting  trees,  with  their  broken  branches  flying  in 
every  direction,  threatening  desolation.  Many  thought  it  was  the 
last  day,  and  that  time  was  to  be  no  longer,  while  the  convulsed  ele- 


76  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

ments  proclaimed  the  majesty  of  an  Almighty  Power,  Torrents  of 
rain  fell,  and  each  one  had  to  seek  shelter  for  himself. 

The  poorhouse  was  only  one-tliird  its  present  size  ;  Crip's  house 
was  not  large,  and  one  room  occupied  by  H.  S.,  and  a  small  barn  well 
filled  with  grain,  were  the  only  buildings  near.  Many  bent  their  way 
home,  when  they  came  to  a  run,  where  there  was  a  log  on  both  sides 
to  pass  (now  an  arched  bridge) ;  the  water  was  too  high,  they  could 
not  cross,  A  few  daring  spirits,  however,  found  the  log,  and  held  on 
to  the  frail  fence,  while  men  swam  over  with  others  holding  on.  The 
greatest  number  remained,  until  assistance  could  be  brought  from 
town.  Unfortunately  for  the  ladies,  paper  hats  were  worn,  resembling 
in  material  the  Navarino  of  later  days;  all  those  came  home  bare- 
headed— still  worse,  many  who  had  light  kid  shoes  returned  without 
any.  The  whole  road  was  strewed  with  torn  hats,  ribbons,  and  shoes. 
Thus  ended  this  glorious  day. 

The  next  farm  is  called  Quincy;  this  is  beautifully  situated.  A 
large  stone  house  was  built  by  Joseph  Robinson,  deceased.  It  is  now 
the  property  of  James  T.  Bird. 

On  the  Newport  road  are  many  fine  farms ;  here  are  the  Stidhams, 
Lynams,  Brynbergs,  Walravens,  Justices,  &c.,  all  descendants  of  re- 
spectable Swedish  farmers;  then  the  Richardsons  of  the  Friends  So- 
ciety, and  of  olden  times,  respectable  and  wealthy.  Here  is  Richard- 
son's mill,  an  old  establishment.  I  have  heard  Major  Jaquett  say 
that  when  a  boy,  he  used  to  take  wheat  from  his  father's  farm  there 
to  be  ground,  and  always  went  in  a  boat.  Then  comes  R.'s  Hill, 
long  known  for  its  rugged  and  steep  ascent,  though  now  much 
improved;  and  R.'s  woods,  often  the  haunt  of  troublesome  people, 
secreting  there  to  escape  justice. 

That-house  so  handsomely  situated  on  the  Christiana  side  was  built 
by  William  Warner,  then  a  wealthy  and  respectable  citizen,  whose 
family  were  old  inhabitants. 

It  was  purchased  by  Robert  Andrews,  who  expended  much  in  im- 
proving the  grounds,  and  sold  by  his  heirs  to  the  present  owner,  John 
R.  Latimer,  who  has  wealth  to  enable  him  to  gratify  his  taste,  and 
who  spares  no  expense  in  ornamenting  this  beautiful  spot.  Though 
the  view  is  not  so  extensive  as  those  described,  yet  it  is  very  attractive 
and  some  persons  even  jDrefer  this  situation.  It  is  decidedly  the  most 
improved  of  any  in  this  section  of  country.  His  ancestors  were  here 
in  by-gone  days.  Dr.  Henry  Latimer  was  a  surgeon  in  the  revolution 
— after  that  event  he  was  Senator  to  Congi*ess.    An  elder  brother, 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  77 

George  Latimer,  Esq.,  was  long  collector  of  the  port  of  Philadelphia, 
when  party  services  alone  were  not  suflScient  recommendations  for 
office,  and  defaulters  seldom  disgraced  high  places. 

Their  ancestor,  James  Latimer,  settled  in  early  life,  in  a  small 
village  on  the  Christiana,  three  miles  south  of  this,  and  carried  on  an 
extensive  business  in  flour,  brought  from  Lancaster  in  wagons  to 
Newport,  thence  to  Philadelphia  in  sloops ;  he  died  there  in  good  old 
age.  "  Because  he  hath  known  my  name,  with  long  life  will  I  satisfy 
him,  and  show  him  my  salvation."  Newport  was  then  a  flourishing 
village,  and  contained  many  respectable  inhabitants. 

Captain  Henry  Geddes  married  Miss  M.  Latimer  during  the  revo- 
lution ;  Mrs.  G.  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-five,  with  unimpaired  facul- 
ties, and  sat  and  walked  erect.  Her  stately  figure  was  a  true  repre- 
sentative of  her  strong  intellect  and  fixed  principles  that  never  wavered. 
She  was  an  affectionate  relative,  an  unchanging  friend,  and  a  kind 
neighbor.  Her  traits  of  character  were  as  noble  and  majestic  as  her 
person.  Mrs.  Geddes  was  long  a  professor  in  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  a  practical  Christian,  therefore  we  do  not  mourn  her  departure, 
only  say,  "  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end 
be  like  hers." 

Mrs.  Ann  Latimer,  widow  of  Dr.  L,,  died  within  a  few  years ;  she 
was  an  excellent  and  charitable  lady,  whose  loss  many  a  poor  widow 
has  cause  to  mourn.  Her  purse  was  always  ready  to  relieve  the 
necessitous  ;  for  she  was  truly  a  cheerful  giver.  Her  eldest  daughter, 
Sarah  Latimer,  was  suddenly  removed  by  a  most  mysterious  Provi- 
dence, in  the  prime  of  life,  and  engaged  in  the  most  active  benevo- 
lence, constantly  seeking  and  relieving  objects  of  charity,  and  we  can 
truly  apply  the  words  of  the  evangelist  to  this  worthy  and  useful 
lady  :— 

"  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for 
you.  For  I  was  an  hungered,  and  ye  gave  me  meat ;  I  was  thirsty, 
and  ye  gave  me  drink  ;  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me  in ;  naked,  and 
ye  clothed  me ;  I  was  sick  and  ye  visited  me." 


10* 


CHAPTER   YI. 

Long  Hook— Major  Jaquett— His  Father— Whitefleld— Major  P.  J.  enters  the 
Ai-my— Description— Visit  of  an  Old  Soldier— The  Avenue— Night  Walk — 
Blackbeard— The  Alarm- SuiTcnder  to  Bull  Frogs — Solomon. 

Opposite  the  town,  a  curvature  of  the  Christiana  forms  a  point  of 
land  called  Long  Hook  farm,  the  patrimonial  estate  of  Major  Peter 
Jaquett.  Here  the  day  dawned  on  his  birth,  and  the  night  of  death 
closed  his  mortal  career,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  was 
borne  hence  to  his  grave,  in  the  old  Swedes  cemetery,  over  two  miles, 
by  sixty  young  men,  as  a  tribute  of  their  respect  for  his  revolutionary 
services,  and  we  record  it  as  a  tribute  of  ours  for  their  national 
feelings. 

His  father  was  one  of  a  little  band  of  French  protestants,  who  fled 
from  the  persecutions  in  the  land  of  his  nativity,  and  pitched  his  tent 
in  the  wilds  of  Delaware,  with  a  few  Swedish  colonists,  and  the  red 
men  of  the  woods,  where  he  was  content  to  dwell.  "  Oh  !  that  I  had 
in  the  wilderness  a  lodging-place  of  way-faring  men,  that  I  might 
leave  my  people  and  go  from  them."  Delighted  with  the  fertility  and 
freshness  of  the  soil,  as  it  came  from  the  creative  hand,  he  adopted  it 
for  his  home,  and  became  an  owner  of  this  tract,  and  a  tiller  of  the 
ground,  felling  the  logs  and  fitting  up  his  cabin,  which  remains  to  this 
day  a  relic  of  olden  times,  attached  to  the  present  mansion,  built  by 
him  in  after  years. 

Now  settled  in  this  rural  retreat,  believing  "  it  is  not  good  that 
man  should  be  alone,"  he  paid  his  respects  to  a  Swedish  family,  and 
interested  one  of  their  fair  daughters  to  share  his  comforts  and  his 
cares. 

On  a  visit  of  the  celebrated  Whitefleld  to  this  region,  he  was 
numbered  among  his  converts  ;  and  when  a  hoary-headed  sire,  he 
ended  his  life's  pilgrimage  in  peace. 

As  Peter  entered  his  seventh  year,  his  father,  alluding  to  the 
stately  buttonwood  trees  which  he  had  planted  on  the  creek  side,  said, 
•'  My  son,  if  you  foster  these  trees  in  youth,  they  will  grow  with  your 
growth,  and  shade  you  in  declining  years ;  when  these  hands  are 
motionless  in  the  grave,  and  our  frail  bodies  have  returned  to  dust, 

78 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  79 

they  will  long  survive,  and  annually  renew  their  verdure."  They 
were  cared  for  in  Peter's  youth,  an'd  venerated  in  his  old  age.  He  ap- 
proached manhood,  and  the  trees  were  in  full  vigor,  at  an  important 
epoch  in  our  national  annals. 

Kedress  of  grievances  long  borne  had  been  sought  in  vain  by  peti- 
tion to  the  mother  country,  and  the  spirit  of  the  nation  was  aroused 
to  resistance.  A  call  was  made  to  arms.  Many  young  men  from  the 
plough  responded,  among  whom  was  our  hero,  Peter  Jaquett.  On  the 
first  day  of  January,  1776,  his  services  were  enlisted  as  ensign.  Sage 
patriots  had  viewed  the  rising  clouds  which  threatened  to  overshadow 
the  land ;  while  skilful  husbandmen  most  assiduously  prepared  the 
soil  as  when  "  an  overflowing  shower  and  a  stormy  wind  shall  rend  it." 

On  the  fourth  of  July,  by  acclamation,  the  liberty  tree  was 
planted,  and  the  hurrahs  resounded  from  the  Atlantic  shores  to  the 
western  wilds.  "  I  am  pained  at  my  very  heart ;  my  heart  makes  a 
noise  in  me,  I  cannot  hold  my  peace,  because  thou  hast  heard,  0,  my 
soul,  the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  the  alarm  of  war."  As  this  was  an 
experimental  scheme,  it  had  many  opponents.  There  were  some  who 
were  attached  to  the  old  paths  wherein  they  were  taught  to  walk, 
timid  ones,  too ;  while  there  were  others  who  stood  on  high  ground, 
carefully  watching  events,  ever  ready  to  fall  into  the  ranks  of  the 
stronger  party. 

Foes  within  and  foes  without  were  to  be  met  by  mental  and  phys- 
ical energy ;  free-will  oflferings  were  required  to  sustain  and  rear  this 
tree,  on  the  prosperity  of  which  sanguine  hopes  were  founded,  for  the 
good  of  the  human  family.  If  it  drooped  and  died,  this  fair  portion 
of  the  earth  would  be  stained  by  the  blood  of  martyrs.  Endurance 
through  winter's  frosts  and  summer's  heats,  harassed  by  fatigue, 
hunger  and  thirst,  was  borne  for  seven  years,  meanwhile  this  tree  had 
taken  root,  and  was  soaring  upwards.  Now  the  jubilee  was  pro- 
claimed with  feasting  and  gladness.  The  land  had  rest,  and  the  weary 
soldier  returned  with  the  laurels  on  his  brow. 

The  roar  of  cannon  and  din  of  military  music  were  changed  to 
joy  and  peace. 

In  Philadelphia,  great  preparations  were  made  for  splendid  fire- 
works, at  the  intersection  of  Market  and  Sixth  Streets,  then  the  resi- 
dence of  two  distinguished  patriots,  Governor  Dickinson,  and  Robert 
Morris,  Esq.  A  triumphal  arch  was  thrown  across  the  street,  and  a 
wire  extended  above ;  from  this  wire  the  goddess  of  liberty  and  queen 
of  peace  were  to  descend,  and  with  the  trumpet  of  fame  illuminate  the 


80  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

arch  ;  and  under  it,  I  think,  was  fixed  the  genius  of  America.  Trans- 
parencies had  been  placed  there  with  great  care,  and  thousands  had 
assembled  to  witness  the  magnificent  spectacle,  when,  oh,  shocking ! 
by  some  mishap,  just  at  the  interesting  moment,  the  whole  took  fire 
and  exploded,  most  terrific  to  the  heedless  mass,  rushing  on  each  other 
in  their  fright,  believing  that  time  was  no  longer.  To  many,  it  was 
their  last  night ;  others  were  carried  into  houses  with  broken  limbs, 
or  mangled  by  being  stepped  upon.  Vast  numbers  were  seriously 
injured. 

Though  we  feel  that  honor  and  praise  are  justly  due  to  the  great 
and  brave  men  who  guided  the  affairs  of  state,  or  wielded  the  sword 
in  their  country's  defence,  and  brought  it  to  a  happy  consummation — 
"  O !  Lord,  I  know  that  it  is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his 
steps" — and  that  the  Almighty  Disposer  of^ events  overruled  all  by 
his  superintending  providence  for  the  benefit  of  his  creatures.  "  For 
thus  saith  the  Lord,  Behold  I  will  bring  them  from  the  north  country, 
and  gather  them  from  the  coasts  of  the  earth,  and  with  them  the 
blind  and  the  lame.  A  great  company  shall  flow  together  to  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord,  for  wheat  and  for  wine,  and  for  oil ;  I  will 
comfort  them,  and  make  them  rejoice." 

Now  the  varied  seasons,  of  all  the  years  allotted  to  man,  have 
passed  over  this  tree,  which  is  in  its  meridian  glory,  shadowing  forth 
its  boughs  from  the  remote  mountains  to  the  ocean,  and  shedding 
its  refreshing  dews  on  millions  of  the  human  family,  from  every 
clime  and  every  age.  The  gray-headed  cripple,  and  the  infant  of 
days,  have  dwelt  under  its  shade,  while  it  fertilizes  the  laud  so  as  to 
yield  bread  enough,  and  to  spare,  for  ages  yet  unborn.  "  As  the  earth 
is  the  Lord's,  and  the  fulness  thereof,"  we  them  welcome ;  all  who 
may  come  with  i.idustrious  habits,  and  peaceful  lives,  we  wish  them 
granted  all  the  privileges  their  merit  may  deserve.  We  only  claim 
one  proviso — that  they  meddle  not  with  the  affairs  of  state,  but  leave 
those  things  to  be  managed  by  the  natives  of  the  soil. 

Wanderer,  whither  wouldst  thou  roam, 

To  what  region,  far  away, 
Bend  thy  steps  to  find  a  home 

In  the  twilight  of  thy  day  ? 

In  the  twilight  of  my  day 

I  am  hastening  to  the  West ; 
There  my  weary  limbs  to  lay, 

When  the  sun  retires  to  rest. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  81 

Thither,  thither,  would  I  roam, 

There  my  children  may  be  free, 
I  for  them  will  tind  a  home, 

They  shall  find  a  grave  for  me. 

Tracing  the  environs  of  the  town,  and  led  to  this  point,  Loug 
Hook,  we  should  pass  on  were  it  not  the  domicil  of  a  patriot  of  1776, 
who  is  "  now  no  more."  As  we  linger  here,  the  shadow  rests  on  the 
hearts  of  many  with  whom  we  associated,  and  spent  happy  hours, 
who  are  now  slumbering  in  the  tomb.  Imagination  loves  to  sketch 
the  incidents  of  the  primitive  family  abode,  and  dwell  on  the  tender 
recollections  of  early  friendshij)  and  affection.  It  awakens  a  pensive 
train  of  thought,  and  reviews  in  memory  the  deeds  of  those  passed 
away,  to  see  at  this  time  the  deserted  home,  and  the  silence  of  death 
now  brooding  over  the  spot  where  once  the  social  circle  were  seated, 
enjoying  the  cool  breeze  and  refreshing  shade  of  these  majestic  trees. 

To  these,  the  kind  hostess,  often  involved  in  domestic  cares,  devo- 
ted her  early  attention,  by  having  mounds  thrown  up  around  their 
base,  decorated  with  gay  flowers,  and  vines  to  entwine  their  noble 
trunks  ;  not  a  broken  branch  or  fallen  leaf  lay  there  to  mar  the  green 
sward  beneath,  where  seats  were  arranged  in  order.  To  her  industri- 
ous habits  and  good  taste,  many  of  the  useful  and  all  the  ornamental 
improvements  were  due. 

There,  in  martial  array,  and  in  the  pride  of  manhood,  once  trod 
the  warrior  !  Here  stood  the  statesman  and  venerable  prelate ;  here 
we  have  witnessed  the  sprightliness  of  youth,  and  the  wisdom  and 
solemnity  of  age,  mingling  with  sportive  childhood,  whiling  away 
hours  in  careless  joy,  where  refreshments  of  olden  times,  syllabub 
with  its  accompaniments,  were  not  forgotten. 

The  sportsman  and  angler  often  rested  their  weary  limbs  here ; 
lovers  of  music,  with  their  melodious  notes,  sometimes  enlivened  the 
scene,  and  conversational  parties  assembled  to  talk  over  tales  of  the 
Revolution. 

Here  the  greatest  man  of  the  nation,  Washington,  has  sat,  with  a 
Lafayette,  and  our  venerable  Bishop  White,  and  many  other  worthies, 
who  admired  and  enjoyed  the  shade  of  those  trees.  Then  shall  we 
not  commemorate  them  ?  Often  have  I  seen  children  listening  with 
intense  interest  to  anecdotes  of  the  war,  and  seem  to  echo  these  lines, 

"Major,  now  tell  us  all  about  the  war, 
And  what  they  killed  each  other  for." 
11 


82  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

He,  so  excited,  would  exhibit  his  diploma  with  "Washington's  sig- 
nature, and  the  sword  and  the  gun  presented,  and  the  one  used  in  the 
Revolution,  and  other  relics  ;  then  to  promote  their  pleasure,  order 
the  cart  and  horse  harnessed,  and  with  his  youthful  guests,  hie  to  the 
Avoods  for  nuts,  return  in  full  glee,  slip  out  the  tail  board,  and  out  the 
little  urchins  would  pop  on  the  grass  much  to  their  amusement.  At 
other  times  fit  them  out  with  fishing-tackle,  and  away  to  the  inlet. 
Such  was  his  fondness  for  children  even  in  old  age. 

The  lawn  in  front  was  large  and  surrounded  by  lofty  poplars,  the 
middle  interspersed  with  a  variety  of  most  beautiful  evergreens,  kept 
with  extreme  neatness.  At  the  wickei*-gate  in  the  front  of  the  yard 
stood  an  immense  weeping  willow,  with  a  hanging  bird's  nest  deep  and 
narrow  at  the  extreme  end  of  a  twig  ;  this  was  quite  a  curiosity.  On 
this  side  of  the  house  a  small  portico,  with  boxes  for  wrens,  sheltered 
whole  families,  so  tame  as  to  hop  around  and  light  on  your  head  ;  and 
the  sweet  notes  of  the  robin  sounded  in  your  ears.  The  ivy  that 
covered  this  side  of  the  dwelling  was  a  resting-place  for  birds.  It 
sprang  from  a  very  small  sprig  sent  by  a  gentleman  in  a  letter  from 
New  York  to  Mrs.  Jaquett.  He  gathered  it  from  the  castle  where 
Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  was  imprisoned. 

The  first  Champney  rose  in  this  region  Mrs.  Jaquett  put  down 
against  the  old  fabric,  and  when  in  bloom  it  was  a  beautiful  contrast 
to  the  ivy;  it  entered  through  the  eaves  to  the  attic,  and  there  bloomed 
the  whole  winter.  A  fine  garden  on  the  south  side  was  ornamented 
with  choice  flowers ;  the  magnolia  and  honeysuckle  regaled  you  with 
their  fragrance.  Thirty  summers  these  flowers  have  bloomed  and 
withered ;  since,  on  removing  the  roof  of  this  old  cabin,  the  workmen 
found  an  incredible  quantity  of  honey  under  the  eaves.  Here  the 
industrious  bees  had  labored  for  years. 

We  now  give  our  valedictory  address  to  the  home  of  bygone  days 
by  reciting  an  animating  scene  that  occurred  just  before  the  major's 
death.  Being  on  a  visit,  we  were  sitting  at  tea  in  the  hall  that  con- 
nected the  two  buildings,  having  a  door  opening  to  the  road.  I  saw 
an  old  man  walking  slowly  up  the  lawn,  apparently  lame ;  he  came 
forward  and  inquired  for  Major  Jaquett.  The  good  lady  desired  him 
to  take  a  seat  at  the  door  until  the  Major  was  disengaged.  Hearing 
his  voice,  he  advanced,  saying,  "Impossible,  madam,  to  seat  myself 
when  I  hear  my  old  captain's  voice  once  more.  My — my  brave  oflicer, 
don't  you  know  your  old  soldier,  John  Turner,  of  Sussex,  the  first 
man  you  enlisted,  Jan.  '76?"     The  Major  then  jumped  up,  and  in 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  83 

ecstasy  exclaimed,  "John  Turner,  my  brave  fellow!  is  it  possible  this 
can  be  you?"  Never  had  I  seen  such  expressive  joy.  Water  was 
ordered  for  him  to  wash;  and  to  his  wife  he  said,  "Eliza,  set  the  best 
you  have  in  the  house  for  this  brave  fellow.  He  deserves  more  than 
you  can  give.  He  never  flinched  from  his  duty,  and  served  his 
country  faithfully  for  seven  years."  This  reminded  one  of  the  patri- 
archal age,  of  Abraham  and  Sarah's  entertainment;  it  was  in  such 
simplicity  and  sincerity. 

They  commenced  a  recital  of  Revolutionary  scenes,  having  been 
together  in  so  many  battles,  and  both  escaped  unscathed ;  the  slaughter 
of  their  regiment  at  Camden,  and  many  hairbreadth  escapes.  Then 
spoke  of  their  hard  fate  in  Georgia,  living  three  days  on  green 
peaches,  boiled,  and  nothing  to  season  with,  not  even  salt,  nor  a  par- 
ticle of  other  food. 

The  broken  soldier,  kindly  bade  to  stay, 
Sat  by  bis  fire  and  talked  the  uight  away, 
Wejjt  o'er  his  wounds,  or  tales  of  sorrow  done, 
Shouldered  his  staff  and  showed  how  fields  were  won. 

Next  morning,  Saturday,  the  Major  took  John  in  his  gig  to  visit 
Governor  Bennett,  who  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  same  regiment,  and  a 
lady  present  gave  an  account  of  the  scene  acted  over  again  there. 
Such  greeting  she  never  witnessed.  The  Governor  gave  his  orders 
for  the  best  dinner  to  be  prepared.  John  Turner,  a  brave  old  soldier, 
was  to  dine — saying  to  his  wife,  "Kate,  nothing  you  can  get  is  too 
good."  Next,  the  two  old  officers  fitted  him  out  with  a  new  suit  com- 
plete, and  took  him  to  church  on  Sunday.  On  Monday  the  Major 
went  with  him  to  New  Castle,  on  his  return  to  Washington.  General 
Cass,  then  Secretary  of  War,  had  advised  him  to  procure  the  signa- 
tures of  these  two  gentlemen  to  his  certificate,  which  would  insure  an 
increase  to  his  pension,  and  in  this  he  succeeded. 

We  next  trace  the  way  to  town,  then  relate  a  nocturnal  adventure 
on  this  road  as  a  prelude  to  revolutionary  incidents.  From  this  gate 
to  the  bridge  is  an  excellent  road  bauked  up  through  the  meadows, 
high,  and  one  mile  and  a  quarter  in  length.  Nearly  the  whole  way, 
this  avenue  is  shaded  on  either  side  by  water-willows,  adorned  with 
thick  foliage,  that  shields  the  rambler  from  the  scorching  sunbeams, 
and  the  birds  of  the  air  rest  upon  their  branches,  throwing  their 
shadow  into  the  meadows,  and  refreshing  many  a  panting  animal. 
Yet,  strange  to  say,  so  various  are  the  uses  of  terrestrial  things,  those 


84  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

tender  boughs  so  cheering  to  the  many,  are  made  a  traflSc  of,  burned 
into  charcoal,  and  then  ground  into  powder  to  destroy  the  life  they 
have  gladdened. 

On  the  outside  are  canals  cut  to  drain  the  meadows ;  these  are  in- 
habited by  numberless  frogs  of  every  age  and  kind,  from  the  hop-toad 
to  the  most  sonorous  bull-frogs,  with  their  thundering  noise,  making 
the  whole  welkin  ring,  when  they  join  in  concert.  The  borders  are 
fringed  with  flags,  water-lilies,  and  other  aquatic  plants,  that  shoot  up 
out  of  the  oozy  soil,  beautifully  gay.  Under  these  trees  you  see  scores 
of  gaudy  butterflies  flitting  before  you  in  various  colors  on  the  green 
sward,  and  seeming  to  paint  in  flowers  the  grassy  pathway.  The  cattle 
are  grazing,  and  lowing  in  the  meadows  as  you  pass,  and  the  wind 
whistling  through  lots  of  green  corn,  give  you  rural  sights  and  rural 
sounds. 

Well,  once  upon  a  time,  twelve  females  had  spent  a  very  pleasant 
day  at  Long  Hook ;  the  evening  shades  had  closed,  and  gathering 
clouds  admonished  them  to  hasten  home ;  no  danger  was  apprehended, 
though  the  night  was  dark.  A  stout  man,  long  in  the  Major's  employ, 
was  sent  to  escort  us  over  the  bridge.  A  few  glimmering  stars  lighted 
our  path,  and  we  set  out  merrily.  Entering  the  avenue,  we  were 
enveloped  in  total  darkness,  and  for  an  instant  a  star  would  twinkle 
through  the  trees  and  vanish.  Then  we  heard  noises,  the  screech-owl 
and  bull-frogs ;  though  familiar  sounds,  the  gloom  made  them  appear 
strange. 

Now  a  restless  animal  among  the  cattle  bellowed  most  terrifically 
—approaching  nearer,  our  escort  said  we  need  not  fear  him  ;  the  ditch 
was  a  suflicient  bulwark  ;  so  we  stept  cautiously  and  timidly,  afraid  of 
the  sound  of  our  voices,  and  even  the  tread,  lest  it  should  crush  the 
worm  under  our  foot. 

When  Solomon  broke  silence,  exclaiming,  "  Did  you  see  that  ?" 
"  No,  what  ?"  "  That  'ar  light."  "  Well,  what  of  that '?"  "  La,  have 
you  never  hearn  tell  of  the  strange  lights  seen  here,  and  you  have 
always  lived  in  these  here  parts  ?  La,  marm,  have  you  never  hearn 
tell  of  Blackbeard,  as  how  in  old  times  he  used  to  come  up  this  here 
creek  and  hide  money  ?  and  that  he  killed  folks,  and  buried  them  in 
these  here  banks  ?  and  as  how,  when  men  were  digging  for  this  money, 
Jack-o'-the-lautern  would  scare  them  away,  just  as  they  hit  the  box? 
La,  marm,  folks  say,  sometimes  he  would  tote  them  off"  bodily." 

"  Do  you  believe  all  that,  Solomon  ?"  "  Yes,  marm,  I  do,  for  I 
have  seen  queer  sights  myself ;  and  I  don't  like  this  walk  of  a  dark 


Reminisgences  of  Wilmington.  85 

night,  nohow  you  can  fix  it."  Then  the  bull-frogs  bellowed,  and  we 
started.  "  Never  mind  the  frogs,  ladies,  they  won't  hurt  you  ;  but 
look  out  for  the  lights.  Howsomever,  the  frogs  are  very  alarming 
sometimes  ;  for  I  suppose  you  have  hearn  tell  of  that  are  kurnel  in 
the  old  war."  "  No,  what  of  him  ?"  "  Well,  they  say  he  was  in 
about  such  a  fix  as  this,  only  it  was  a  swampy  place,  they  couldn't 
run."  "  Well,  a  colonel  would  not  wish  to  run."  Well,  he  moughtn't 
be  a  kurnel,  but  anyhow  he  was  a  big  bug,  that  did  not  do  much,  but 
made  every  fellow  do  as  he  ehused.  Well,  as  I  was  saying,  in  such  a 
fix  as  this,  only  the  red-coats  were  arter  him,  full  tilt." 

"Well,  we  may  thank  our  stars  they  are  not  after  us."  "La! 
marra,I  telled  you  that  happened  in  the  old  war."  What  happened?" 
"Well,  you  know  how  brave  the  Delaware  men  were;  that  ofiicer,  now 
I  hit  it,  was  one  on  'em.  Well,  they  were  creeping  softly  through  the 
swamps,  and  one  of  them  are  creatures  bellowed  out,  and  the  wind 
whistled  through  the  corn,  and  they  raly  thought  it  was  a  musket- 
ball;  then  they  halted — next  the  whole  army  of  bull-frogs  in  the 
swamp  gave  a  shout  that  rang  through  the  corn  like  a  volley  of  mus- 
ket-balls. Then  he  ordered  the  men  to  lay  down  their  arms,  and  sur- 
render, shouting  aloud,  'Sirs,  we  are  your  prisoners!'  " 

"What,  a  Delaware  officer  surrender  to  bull-frogs?  Never!" 
"Yes,  marm,  I  have  hearn  my  father  tell  as  how  one  of  his  kin  was  a 
soger  that  was  with  him;  telled  him  the  officer's  name,  too,  and  there 
was  twelve  on  'em." 

At  that  crisis  the  whole  company  of  frogs  in  harmonious  concert 
made  such  a  terrific  roar,  and  resounded  through  the  marshes,  that 
we  bounded  over  the  pathway  like  deers,  not  seeming  to  touch  the 
ground,  or  draw  a  breath  until  we  reached  the  bridge  that  was  lighted, 
leaving  poor  Solomon  in  the  utmost  consternation,  thinking  for  a  mo- 
ment Jack  O'Lanthoru  had  toted  us  off  bodily. 


11* 


CHAPTER    Til. 

Major  Jaqiiett — Battles — Brandywine— General  LaFayette — Bell  McClosky — 
Colonel  Hazlett— General  Snmlhvood — Guilford  C.  H. — General  Green — 
Camden— Baron  deKalb — Delaware  Regiment — Singular  Incident — Virginia 
— Patriotic  Lady— Return— Joseph  Tatnall,  Esq. — IVIrs  Jaquett— Bennet 
— Lord  Cornwallis — Monckton  Park — George  Haines,  Esq. — Robert  3Ior- 
ris,  Esq. — A  thrilling  stoiy — Judge  Bedford  and  lady — Mysterious  events— 
Hays's  family — An  eventful  day— General  Washington,  President  of  the 
United  States— Eden  Park— P.  Bauduy,  Esq. 

Major  Jaquett  entered  the  army  at  the  commencement,  and  con- 
tinued in  service  during  the  Avar,  only  spending  six  weeks  at  home,  to 
recruit  his  health,  impaired  by  a  southern  climate,  and  consequent 
exposures  of  a  camp.  He  was  soon  promoted  to  a  captaincy,  and 
major  by  brevet  at  the  close.  He  was  in  thirty-two  pitched  battles, 
and  many  skirmishes ;  and  though  never  severely  wounded,  had 
several  hair-breadth  escapes.  At  Princeton,  when  his  commander. 
Colonel  Hazlett,  fell,  he  was  at  his  side. 

At  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  when  General  Lafayette  was  wounded, 
he  was  near,  and  heard  him  call  to  General  Washington,  "  General,  I 
am  wounded !"  who  answered,  I  am  sorry  for  it,  sir."  "  Sir,  I  am  not 
sorry,"  was  the  reply. 

A  woman  came,  and  with  her  scissors  extracted  the  ball,  put  it  into 
her  pocket.  Next  came  the  Major,  and  after  him  the  surgeon,  who 
said  all  was  done  well.  This  woman  lived  to  an  old  age  ;  used  to 
carry  cakes  in  a  basket  to  sell,  with  this  relic  of  her  revolutionary 
services  always  at  hand.  Her  husband  was  a  soldier,  and  she  followed 
him  in  the  army,  where  she  was  very  useful  in  binding  up  the  wounds 
of  many  who  might  have  bled  to  death  without  her  timely  aid. 

On  General  Lafayette's  visit  to  this  town,  in  1824,  a  dinner  was 
given  at  the  town  hall.  When  the  guests  were  all  assembled.  Bell 
McClosky  came,  and  asked  for  Major  Jaquett,  and  said,  "  Major,  I 
wish  you  to  introduce  me  to  General  Lafayette;  I  feel  an  indescribable 
desire  to  speak  to  him  once  more." 

"  You  shall  be  gratified.  Bell,  for  you  were  a  trne  patriot,  and,  I 
believe,  saved  many  a  poor  fellow's  life."     Being  presented  to  the 

86 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  87 

General,  who  recognized  her,  and  expressed  his  deep  gratitude  for  her 
prompt  attention  on  the  day  of  battle,  she  handed  him  the  ball, 
saying  "  it  had  never  been  out  of  her  pocket  one  hour  since  that 
memorable  day." 

As  it  seems  in  place  here,  I  will  relate  an  anecdote  of  Colonel 
Hazlett,  a  fine  looking  officer,  on  his  way  to  join  the  army.  At  a 
hotel,  well  known  afterwards  as  Captain  O'Flinn's,  south-east  corner 
of  Third  and  Market  streets,  an  old  Irish  woman,  who  had  lived  here 
many*  years,  had  been  his  nurse,  and  left  Ireland  when  he  was  a  boy, 
heard  of  his  arrival,  and  in  the  warmth  of  her  heart,  went  rejoicing 
to  see  him,  and  was  ushered  into  the  parlor,  where  he  was  walking 
the  floor  in  full  dress,  and  a  number  of  officers  present.  She  instantly 
recognized  him,  and  flew  to  him,  and  caught  him  around  the  neck, 
and  kissed  him,  saying,  "  Och,  dare  John,  and  sure  it's  jest  you  !" 
The  officers  thought  it  was  his  mother,  whom  he  did  not  choose  to 
own.  He  exclaimed,  "  Woman  !  who  are  you — what  do  you  mean  ?" 
"  Och,  dare  John,  arn't  you  my  own  dare  wean  ?  Sure  these  arms 
bore  you  mony  a  day  ;  and  sure  it's  jest  me  that  knows  all  your 
fore-bearers  in  Ireland !" 

As  soon  as  he  recollected  her,  he  expressed  the  kindest  feelings 
for  her,  and  inquired  where  and  how  she  lived.  She  replied  by 
saying,  "  "Will  you  come  and  see  ?"  "  Yes,  most  certainly."  "  Then 
you  will  find  me  dune  the  back  street,  jist  above  the  big  buttonwoods, 
and  foreninst  the  ould  oak,  in  the  turkey's  nest."  "  Well,  if  you  live 
in  a  turkey's  nest,  I  hope  it  is  well  feathered."  "  Then  you  will  jist 
see !  only  ask  for  Granny,  Miller,  in  the  turkey's  nest,  and  ony  child 
can  direct  you." 

This  place  I  long  remember;  it  was  a  small  shed-room  adjoining  a 
frame  house,  in  Walnut  street,  and  stood  there  in  a  tottering  condition 
for  years,  until  the  day  Col.  Hazlett's  remains  were  removed  to  Dover; 
it  was  then  taken  down — a  singular  coincidence. 

Another  revolutionary  anecdote  occurs  to  my  memory  tliat  hap- 
pened in  this  hotel.  When  General  Smallwood's  division  was  quar- 
tered here,  he  had  ordered  some  horses  driven  into  a  clover  lot,  some 
miles  above  the  town.  The  owners  were  Friends,  and  not  very  favor- 
able to  the  American  cause,  and  much  displeased  at  what  they  thought 
a  very  unjustifiable  act.  The  old  lady  came  to  town,  inquired  by 
whose  authority  it  had  been  done;  when  informed,  she  went  to  the 
hotel,  and  asked  if  Billy  Smallwood  was  there.  They  said  General 
Smallwood  was  in  that  parlor. 


88  REMmi80ENGE8    OF   WILMINGTON. 

As  she  entered,  the  General  came  forward,  and  hearing  his  name 
announced,  when  she  accosted  him:  "Is  thy  name  Billy  Sraallwood?" 
"Yes!"  "Well,  thee  deserves  small  wood  well  laid  across  thy  broad 
shoulders,  thee  naughty  man,  for  destroying  my  fine  pasture."  The 
General  was  much  amused  with  the  appropriate  salutation,  and  tried 
to  appease  her  by  promising  payment  at  a  future  day,  and  often 
laughed  at  the  joke. 

At  Guilford  Court  House,  N.  C,  Friends  were  holding  their, 
monthly  meeting.  Our  army  was  in  great  distress  for  clothing,  no 
shoes  to  their  feet,  which  were  so  sore  that  it  was  with  difficulty  they 
could  march,  leaving  their  tracks  of  blood  on  the  ground,  and  expect- 
ing to  meet  the  enemy,  and  have  a  battle.  In  this  tattered  condition 
they  appealed  to  General  Green  for  permission  to  enter  the  Friends' 
meeting,  and  furnish  themselves  with  shoes,  as  their  necessities  were 
so  great,  and  this  was  their  only  chance.  The  General  replied,  "I 
know  your  wants,  my  brave  fellows,  without  the  power  to  relieve 
them ;  say  no  more  to  me,"  and  he  turned  around  from  them. 

They  then  went  into  the  house,  and  Captain  See  addressed  the 
Friends  most  feelingly,  showing  the  men's  lacerated  feet,  declaring 
that  nothing  but  the  most  imperious  necessity  could  influence  him  to 
take  his  intended  course;  many  of  them  most  willingly  gave  their 
shoes,  while  others  were  forced. 

Major  Jaquett  was  on  the  women's  side,  to  assure  them  they  would 
not  be  molested.  One  old  lady,  with  large  feet  and  coarse  shoes,  in- 
sisted on  his  taking  hers,  and  she  gave  them  to  one  of  the  men  herself, 
while  others  offered  theirs.  They  took  their  horses  too.  And  this 
little  affair  was  of  great  importance  to  the  army,  though  General 
Green  never  wished  to  hear  of  it,  as  he  had  great  respect  for  Friends, 
being  educated  by  his  parents  in  their  principles. 

Previous  to  the  battle  of  Camden,  a  council  was  held,  and  a  close 
conversation  between  General  Gates  and  Baron  De  Kalb,  with  respect 
to  the  time,  place,  and  the  force  they  would  bring  into  the  field.  The 
latter  officer  seemed  to  be  impressed  that  if  an  action  took  place 
then  the  result  would  be  disastrous  to  the  army  and  his  pathway  to 
the  grave.  Just  before  the  first  round  was  fired,  he  turned  to  Major 
Jaquett,  and  said,  "If  you  survive,  my  brave  young  officer,  have  a 
care  for  my  remains."  In  a  few  moments,  he  fell  mortally  wounded 
into  his  arms.     Thus  died  a  noble  and  brave  officer,  deeply  lamented. 

The  Delaware  regiment  went  into  battle,  eight  hundred  strong, 
and  at  the  close  could  not  muster  one  hundred  men,  the  rest  being 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  89 

either  killed  or  wounded.  Those  fit  for  service  joined  the  Virginia 
line,  and  after  the  war  the  State  of<  Virginia  gave  a  portion  of  land  to 
each  man  who  served  in  that  regiment.  Those  from  Delaware  were 
included,  and  it  may  be  strange  to  say,  after  so  many  years  had 
elajjsed,  the  day  on  which  Major  Bennett  was  elected  Governor,  each 
share  was  paid;  his  share  amounted  to  the  exact  sum  that  he  would 
have  received  as  the  year's  salary  for  that  office.  He  was  a  lieutenant 
in  Captain  Kirkwood's  company;  they  were  all  paid  on  the  same  day, 
but  only  four  were  then  living. 

When  peace  was  established,  Major  Jaquett  was  at  the  South, 
without  money  or  clothes  sufficient  to  bring  him  home.  Gen.  Green 
advised  him  to  take  charge  of  nine  sick  and  wounded  men.  By  so 
doing  he  would  give  him  an  order  on  each  depot,  where  he  could  be 
furnished  with  supplies  to  proceed  to  Delaware.  This  he  accepted, 
but  was  chagrined  to  find  on  his  arrival  every  depot  broken  up. 
Burdened  with  those  poor  fellows,  whom  he  would  not  abandon,  he 
was  obliged  to  beg  his  way. 

They  passed  through  Virginia  in  these  distressing  circumstances. 
On  entering  a  piece  of  woods,  three  roads  so  diverged  they  were  doubt- 
ftil  which  to  take,  lest  they  should  miss  the  right  way.  The  day  was 
declining,  and  a  rising  mist  obscured  the  distant  view.  Major  J.  ad- 
vised his  companions  to  halt,  while  he  went  forward  to  seek  refresh- 
ment and  shelter  for  the  party;  at  length  he  obtained  a  glimpse  of  a 
habitation,  and  hastened  his  steps. 

As  he  approached  he  was  met  by  the  owner,  who  addressed  him  in 
a  kind  and  courteous  manner,  thinking  some  accident  had  befallen 
the  lonely  stranger.  A  brief  statement  of  their  condition  was  suffi- 
cient to  excite  the  sympathy  of  one  so  kindly  disposed,  and  a  short 
time  only  elapsed  ere  the  whole  party  were  safely  housed  in  his 
hospitable  mansion;  with  unaflfected  politeness  the  members  of  the 
family  gave  them  a  cordial  reception. 

The  whole  vicinity  bore  marks  of  the  desolating  scourge  of  war. 
This  dwelling  presented  the  aspect  of  ancient  grandeur,  and  the  little 
band  now  felt  that  an  angel  of  mercy  had  guided  them  to  this  good 
Samaritan  to  bind  up  their  wounds,  and  pour  in  oil  and  wine.  The 
sick  were  nourished  and  medical  aid  afforded  them.  They  were  thus 
fed  and  clothed,  and  even  the  crippled  beasts  seemed  to  partake  of 
the  general  rejoicing  at  their  unwonted  plenty.  At  times  they  felt  as 
if  all  this  was  visionary,  and  they  were  with  superior  beings,  for  it 
was  to  them  a  heavenly  asylum, 
X2 


90  REMimSGENGES    OF   WiLMINOTON.  • 

Their  wounds  were  partially  healed.  The  sick  pronounced  conva- 
lescent, and  the  animals  in  good  condition,  and  the  day  of  departure 
drew  nigh.  Their  kind  host  most  feelingly  regretted  his  inability  to. 
furnish  them  with  funds  for  defraying  their  expenses  home.  "Why 
shouldst  thou  be  as  a  stranger  in  the  land,  that  turned  aside  to  tarry 
for  a  night?"     As  thou  art  in  the  midst  of  us  leave  us  not. 

A  worthy  lady  who  had  been  an  attentive  listener  to  the  Major's 
narration  of  dangers,  toils,  and  privations,  borne  for  seven  years  in 
defence  of  his  country,  and  had  evinced  a  deep  interest  in  the  soldiers 
while  they  were  under  the  fostering  care  of  this  excellent  family, 
solicited  a  private  interview.  She  had  a  secret  to  communicate  which 
he  must  promise  not  to  reveal.  He  gave  the  assurance,  and  she 
handed  him  a  purse  containing  several  gold  pieces,  saying  she  had 
retained  it  unknown  to  the  family,  through  many  trying  scenes,  fear- 
ing a  greater  emergency,  as  she  saw  paper  money  so  depreciated. 
This  was  the  cause  of  secrecy. 

The  Major  politely  declined  to  receive  her  extreme  liberality,  as 
he  had  no  prospect  of  an  ability  to  repay  it.  But  she  urged  him  to 
accept  her  mite  towards  relieving  the  necessities  of  his  way-worn  sol- 
diers, returning  from  the  perils  of  war,  with  impaired  health  and  shat- 
tered constitutions,  too  often  the  only  inheritance  of  the  brave  defend- 
ers of  our  common  country,  and  she  said,  "Be  assured  it  rejoices  my 
heart  to  have  this  boon  to  offer,  which  has  so  long  been  kept  as  a 
sacred  deposit,"  which  the  Major  could  no  longer  refuse,  being  so 
generously  bestowed.  Thus  the  wants  of  these  weary  pilgrims  were 
amply  supplied,  until  they  reached  the  desired  haven  of  rest. 

The  Major  on  his  return  home  found  his  farm  in  a  dilapidated 
state,  and  destitute  of  the  means  to  repair  and  improve  it.  Besides 
this,  the  support  of  an  aged  mother  and  infirm  sister  devolved  upon 
him.  Under  these  adverse  circumstances,  his  physician  announced 
that  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies  was  the  only  chance  for  the  restora- 
tion of  his  health.  This  visit  his  poverty  forbade,  and  his  spirits  were 
sinking  under  the  pressure  of  his  misfortunes ;  so  many  of  his  fellow 
officers  had  been  cut  off  in  the  field  of  battle,  and  it  seemed  as  if  he 
was  only  permitted  to  come  home  to  die. 

Deeply  impressed  by  his  adversity,  he  met  Joseph  Tatnall,  Esq., 
who  most  cordially  welcomed  him  home,  and  regretted  to  hear  of  his 
feeble  health,  and  inquired  if  he  had  consulted  a  physician.  He  told 
him  the  advice,  and  his  inability  to  comply.  There  was  a  pause,  and 
this  kind  friend  replied — 


Beminiscences  of  Wilmingtok  91 

"  Peter,  thou  must  go  !  Seven  years  spent  in  the  defence  of  thy 
country,  with  no  renumeration,  and  a  broken  constitution  without  an 
effort  to  repair  it,  will  not  do ;  money  is  very  scarce  at  this  time,  or  I 
would  give  it  thee  without  hesitation.  However,  I  can  manage  the 
business,  by  letting  thee  have  flour  to  cover  thy  expenses."  So  the 
generous  sympathy  of  this  friend  was  not  defeated.  He  gave  him 
the  amount  of  twelve  hundred  dollars  in  flour,  the  proceeds  of  which 
paid  all  the  expenses  of  his  journey.  He  went  on  his  way,  rejoicing 
to  have  met  such  a  friend  in  this  last  extremity.  In  ten  days  he 
departed  for  a  more  genial  clime,  and  in  a  few  months  returned  with 
renewed  health. 

Not  many  years  before  his  death,  he  paid  this  debt,  though  the 
money  had  never  been  demanded.  The  noble  patriotic  lady,  as  he 
used  to  style  her,  who  gave  him  the  purse  of  gold,  was  dead ;  but  he 
paid  her  friends  in  after  years  principal  and  interest,  amounting  to 
over  five  hundred  dollars.  He  mislaid  the  statement  of  this  account. 
A  year  before  his  death,  Mrs.  Jaquett  found  it  among  old  muster-rolls. 
Feeling  it  was  justly  his  due,  he  presented  it  to  Congress  for  payment. 
As  that  honorable  body  ahvays  move  slowly  in  matters  where  they 
have  no  personal  interest,  the  Major  died  before  it  was  acted  upon. 

Here  we  have  given  two  noble  instances  of  patriotism,  one  from 
the  ancient  dominion,  the  other  from  little  Delaware,  and  record  them 
with  pleasure. 

Mrs.  Jaquett  died  May  5,  1834 ;  she  was  a  worthy  woman,  and 
deeply  interested  in  her  church  and  religious  institutions.  Her  afflic- 
tions were  a  grief  to  the  Major,  who  proved  his  affection  by  unremit- 
ting attentions.  He  was  never  seen  to  smile  after  her  death.  His 
closing  scene  on  September  13,  1834,  was  serene  and  tranquil.  "  I 
am  old,  stricken  in  age,  and  behold  this  day  I  am  going  the  way  of 
all  the  earth,  and  you  know  in  all  your  hearts  the  Lord  your  God  is 
he  that  hath  fought  for  you,  hath  /driven  out  from  before  you  great 
nations  and  strong;  no  man  hath  been  able  to  stand  before  you  unto 
this  day ;  take  heed  therefore  unto  yourselves,  that  you  love  the  Lord 
your  God,  lest  you  perish  off'  this  good  land  which  your  God  hath 
given  you." 

This  reminiscence  is  not  added  to  repair  an  omission  in  the  pre- 
ceding narrative,  but  is  elicited  for  its  remarkable  tendency. 

During  the  Major's  sojourn  here,  in  impaired  health,  continued 
chills  enervated  his  system,  so  that  when  discouraging  news  came 
from  the  army  it  overshadowed  his  mind  with  gloom,  and  he  imagined 


92  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

his  path  clearly  pointed  to  the  gallows.  In  this  despondency  he  felt 
his  services  could  be  no  longer  useful  to  his  country,  even  should  his 
health  improve,  and  that  it  was  expedient  for  him  to  resign  his  com- 
mission, and  await  his  doom. 

An  elderly  female  friend  of  his,  who  lived  near,  had  often  given 
him  good  counsel,  and  was  of  a  cheerful  disposition,  and  never  de- 
spaired of  the  success  of  her  country.  Besides,  he  was  in  love  with 
her  daughter.  Thither  he  concluded  to  bend  his  steps,  and  while  away 
an  hour.  On  entering  the  domicil,  he  was  struck  with  her  sad  coun- 
tenance, so  unusual.  Time  passed  away  in  conversing  on  the  adverse 
circumstances  of  his  country,  and  other  topics  of  national  interest, 
until  too  late  for  him  to  return  that  night. 

In  the  morning,  as  he  entered  the  breakfast-room,  the  good  lady 
addressed  him,  "  Peter,  how  did  you  rest?  and  what  is  this  dream  that 
thou  hast  dreamed?"  His  answer  was,  "  As  usual,  I  passed  a  wretched 
night,  very  little  sleep,  with  distressing  dreams."  "Well,  tell  us  what 
they  were."  "0, 1  never  tell  the  confused  nonsense  that  disturbs  my 
sleep."  "You  must  tell  me,  Peter,  what  you  recollect."  "If  it  will 
gratify  you,  I  can  remember  my  morning  vision,  and  will  relate  it." 

"  I  thought  I  was  returning  home  and  had  to  pass  that  old  oak 
tree  yonder ;  under  its  shade  a  lion  was  couched,  looking  me  in  the 
face  most  ferociously.  There  seemed  no  other  path  by  which  I  could 
escape ;  my  only  hope  was  to  return  to  the  house,  and  even  this  was 
uncertain.  Trembling  and  gazing  at  the  fierce  beast,  I  half  turned 
with  extreme  anxiety,  to  elude  its  claws,  when  I  saw  an  eagle  pounce 
from  a  bough  of  the  tree  upon  the  lion,  entangling  its  talons  so  in  his 
mane  as  to  draw  his  head  back  with  such  force  that  he  roared  aloud, 
and  I  awoke." 

This  patriotic  lady  sprang  from  her  chair,  and  with  the  most  en- 
thusiastic ardor,  said,  "  Peter,  you  were  not  born  to  be  hung.  Our 
army  will  yet  be  victorious.  Arouse,  shake  off  your  ague;  join  your 
regiment  without  delay.  Mark  'my  words,  you  will  return  home 
crowned  with  honor."  "  Thou  shalt  not  die  by  the  sword,  but  thou 
shalt  die  in  peace." 

Her  enthusiasm  was  like  an  electric  shock,  and  so  excited  him  that 
he  set  off  in  two  days  for  the  South ;  and,  strange  to  say,  his  ague  was 
checked  from  that  hour.  This  incident  he  seldom  related.  The  old 
lady  was  Mrs.  Stidham. 

Governor  Bennet  being  alluded  to,  it  seems  the  place  for  a  passing 
tribute  to  his  memory,  as  a  patriot  of  76.     He  was  a  lieutenant  in 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  93 

Captain  Kirkwood's  company.  Major  Jaquett  and  he  were  most 
affectionate  friends  during  life.  Tiiey  passed  through  many  harassing 
scenes,  and  many  escapes  from  danger,  though  neither  of  them  ever 
were  badly  wounded.  Lieutenant  Bennet  was  not  in  as  many  battles 
as  Captain  Jaquett,  being  often  sent  home  to  recruit  men.  In  this 
service  he  was  very  successful,  but  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  present 
at  the  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  Captain  Jaquett  always  lamented 
being  absent  on  that  important  event. 

They  both  entered  the  army  in  '76,  and  continued  to  the  end  of 
the  arduous  struggle  for  their  country's  independence.  Lieutenant 
Bennet,  as  stated  by  their  captain,  was  a  very  moral  young  officer, 
addicted  to  none  of  the  vices  common  in  camp  at  that  day.  He  never 
knew  him  to  be  intoxicated  but  once,  and  that  was  by  accident. 
Neither  did  he  use  profane  language ;  two  remarkable  traits,  which 
will  be^ remembered  with  commendation. 

His  services  in  battle  were  sufficient  to  prove  his  bravery,  which 
was  never  doubted.  His  hospitality,  fondness  for  dining  parties,  and 
the  dance,  remained  with  him  to  old  age,  and  made  it  more  extraor- 
dinary that  he  should  escape  the  vices  of  the  day.  He  was  brought 
up  a  Friend,  and  professed  a  great  regard  for  their  principles,  and 
never  liked  to  hear  of  the  affair  at  Guilford  Court  House — the  taking 
the  Friends'  shoes,  as  he  was  present  at  that  scene.  Major  Jaquett 
would  often  remind  him  of  it,  merely  to  tease  him,  when  he  would 
express  his  partiality  for  their  principles,  and  say,  "You  call  yourself 
a  Friend,  and  will  both  fight  and  dance." 

He  was  elected  governor  at  an  advanced  age,  for  his  revolutionary 
services.  His  friend,  the  Major,  disapproved  of  giving  offices  of  state 
to  military  chieftains  as  a  reward,  and  thought  they  seldom  made  good 
statesmen,  and  that  the  country  was  bound  to  pay  well  those  who 
fought  its  battles,  leaving  those  offices  to  men  whose  habits  of  reflec- 
tion were  better  adapted  for  the  management  of  state  affairs.  They 
were  of  different  politics,  the  Major  a  Whig,  the  Governor  a  Democrat. 

The  latter  was  deeply  afflicted  at  his  friend's  death,  and  felt  that 
his  time  was  near  at  hand.  His  death  took  place  soon  after,  while  he 
was  in  office,  and  living  in  the  house  where  Dr.  McKinley  died.  He 
left  a  widow  and  children,  men  and  women,  to  mourn  the  loss  of  an 
affectionate  father  and  husband,  while  others  remembered  him  as  a 
kind  neighbor.     "Man  abideth  not  in  honor." 

The  next  place  in  our  way  was  in  days  of  old  called  Monckton 
Park.  About  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  it  was  owned  by 
12* 


94  REMmiSCENCES    OF   WILMINGTON. 

an  English  gentleman,  who  had  spent  some  time  in  the  West  Indies, 
and  visited  Philadelphia.  But  taking  a  deep  interest  in  the  American 
cause,  was  obliged  to  remain  in  this  country  until  the  close  of  that 
event,  and  engaged  in  the  shipping  business  there.  This  was  his 
country-seat,  which  he  frequently  visited  on  horseback,  for  exercise. 
Being  a  public-spirited  man,  he  made  great  improvements,  and  was  an 
acquisition  to  the  neighborhood.  He  was  the  first  person  who  proposed 
mile  stones  in  this  county,  called  a  meeting  for  that  purpose,  and 
presented  the  stones,  which  extend  to  the  Red  Lion ;  others  inter- 
ested paid  for  their  being  set. 

Mr.  Haines  was  the  friend  of  Robert  Morris,  Esq.,  and  those  gen- 
tlemen originated  the  Bank  of  North  America;  others  may  have  been 
connected  with  them.  Mr.  H.  was  remarkably  neat  in  his  person,  and 
systematic  in  his  business.  While  his  daughters  were  at  boarding- 
school  in  Philadelphia,  he  regularly  called  to  take  them  to  church  on 
prayer  days,  Wednesday  and  Friday  morning.  Neither  inclenaent 
weather  nor  pressing  business  interfered  with  this  duty. 

Once  he  made  out  an  invoice  for  the  cargo  of  a  vessel  to  sail  next 
day,  and  was  obliged  to  complete  it  at  a  very  late  hour.  At  the  finish- 
ing moment,  a  small  dash  of  ink  fell  on  it,  and  he  spent  the  night  in 
copying  it  over.  He  wore  large  metal  buttons,  fashionable  at  that 
day ;  no  hurry  or  weariness  prevented  his  covering  every  one  with 
tissue  paper,  before  he  hung  up  his  coat  at  night.  With  all  this  neat- 
ness, he  had  to  pass  through  a  process  in  traveling  from  Philadelphia 
to  Boston  that  must  have  been  intolerable,  even  for  a  slovenly  person. 
It  being  the  custom  of  the  day,  I  will  relate  the  anecdote. 

The  small-pox  was  viewed  as  the  most  terrific  pestilence,  and 
dreaded  everywhere.  At  this  time  it  was  prevailing  in  New  York, 
as  he  passed  through.  No  stranger  could  be  admitted  into  a  house 
until  he  was  thoroughly  smoked  in  a  place  provided  in  every  town 
for  that  purpose.  So  again  and  again  he  went  through  this  ordeal, 
and  when  he  returned  and  related  his  journey,  he  said  he  had  not 
escaped  one  smoke-house  from  New  York  to  Boston,  and  thought  he 
had  made  a  most  miraculous  escape  in  not  being  sufibcated. 

I  have  seen  letters  written  by  him  after  he  passed  fourscore  years, 
in  the  most  elegant  hand  and  extreme  neatness. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  returned  to  England,  and  sold  this 
place  to  his  friend  Robert  Morris,  Esq.,  who  owned  it  for  years. 
Henry  Physick  married  his  youngest  daughter,  near  London,  who,  late 
in  life  purchased  the  house  owned  by  Governor  Dickinson,  where  he 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  95 

resided  more  than  ten  years,  and  died,  leaving  a  large  family  behind 
him,  and  a  reputation  for  integrity  which  few  men  have  equally  sus- 
tained through  a  long  life. 

Near  the  close  of  the  last  century,  M.  was  the  owner  of  Monckton 
Park,  whose  noble  appearance,  gentlemanly  manners,  and  respectable 
talents  made  him  an  acceptable  companion  to  the  higher  orders  of 
society.  Mrs.  M.  was  plain  and  retiring  in  her  habits.  Their  family 
was  large,  and  the  second  child  was  an  only  daughter,  for  years  the 
pride  of  her  father's  heart.  She  was  now  about  sixteen,  and  though 
little  known,  was  spoken  of  as  a  promising  belle.  She  was  a  hand- 
some brunette,  with  expressive  black  eyes,  glossy  raven  hair,  a  fine 
figure,  and  graceful  manners.  Her  talents  were  of  high  order,  with  a 
very  imaginative  turn  of  mind. 

The  time  of  which  we  speak  was  an  eventful  era.  The  appalling 
scenes  of  the  French  revolution,  though  just  passed  away,  were  fresh 
in  memory,  and  infidel  writings  were  circulated,  freely  patronized  by 
some  of  the  great  men  and  mighty  of  the  earth,  who  fearlessly  avowed 
those  principles;  while  to  profess  deism  was  viewed  as  a  proof  of  supe- 
rior sagacity  or  mental  energy. 

Alas!  it  was  this  young,  lady's  sad  fate  to  have  a  fond  father  of 
this  class,  who  most  assiduously  imbued  the  minds  of  his  household 
with  his  precepts,  esj^ecially  his  beloved  daughter.  The  only  book 
pi'ohibited  from  the  family  library  was  the  Bible.  No  wonder  this 
young  disciple  should  be  led  by  such  teaching,  unblessed  by  any  coun- 
teracting religious  influence.  Yet,  after  all  this  care  on  his  part,  she 
evinced  a  de(;eptive  restlessness  of  mind,  harassed  by  a  desire  to  inves- 
tigate the  subject,  and  elicit  the  opinion  of  others  in  regard  to  the 
immortality  of  the  soul. 

Three  sisters,  respectable  women,  who  earned  their  livelihood  by 
sewing,  were  there  at  work  this  year.  To  those  she  communicated  her 
views  freely,  and  requsted  theirs  on  a  future  state  and  suicide,  and 
which  they  thought  was  the  easiest  death  to  die.  Conscious  of  her 
superior  powers  in  argument,  they  evaded  discussion  by  entreating  her 
to  change  a  subject  so  revolting  and  painful  to  their  feelings,  that  they 
shrunk  from  it  with  horror.  At  times  an  unnatural  calmness  was  visi- 
ble, at  others  a  solemn  sadness  would  cloud  her  brow  with  deep  and 
anxious  thought. 

About  six  weeks  previous  to  the  thrilling  part  of  this  narrative,  we 
wei'e  companions  on  board  a  packet  going  to  Philadelphia,  under  her 
father's  care.     On  entering  the  Delaware,  a  sudden  flaw  of  wind  blew 


96  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

like  a  mighty  tempest.  Every  part  of  this  small  vessel  seemed  as  if  it 
would  rend  in  pieces.  To  the  terror  of  all  the  passengers,  a  frail  sloop 
was  so  near  that  the  danger  increased,  lest  the  two  should  run  into 
each  other. 

In  this  state  of  excitement,  the  mast  of  the  sloop  snapped  off  close 
to  the  deck.  The  awful  crash  made  us  all  tremble,  except  this  inter- 
esting young  girl. 

At  this  crisis,  her  father  seeing  the  confusion,  haughtily  exclaimed, 
"  Patty,  certainly  you  are  not  alarmed?  "  "  No,  sir,  not  in  the  least !  " 
"  I  thought  not,  my  daughter."  This  to  me  was  strange.  The  dan- 
ger soon  subsided,  and  we  had  a  very  pleasant  trip  (so  called).  Her 
father  was  prevailed  upon  to  leave  her  in  the  city,  and  here  she  was 
caressed  and  admired.  As  the  fashion  then  prevailed  of  wearing  the 
hair  short  round  the  head,  leaving  it  longer  on  the  top,  with  a  few 
thin  curls  over  the  forehead,  hers  was  thus  arranged. 

During  her  visit,  an  officer  became  pleased  with  her,  and  escorted 
her  to  the  old  ferry,  on  her  way  home.  She  declined  his  further  atten- 
tion, feeling  assured  it  would  not  meet  her  father's  approbation.  On 
the  following  day  her  father  observed  her  hair  had  been  cut.  As  he 
had  always  viewed  it  as  an  ornament,  and  Spoken  of  it  with  pride,  now 
in  a  moment  of  passion  he  seized  a  pair  of  scissors  and  cut  it  all  off. 
This  first  instance  of  his  displeasure  made  her  very  unhappy  for  a 
time.  She  then  had  it  shaved,  and  wrote  to  a  friend  in  town,  request- 
ing a  correspondence  kept  up  until  she  could  again  appear  in  society. 

Miss  Hays,  a  young  lady  of  more  than  ordinaiy  talents,  and  relig- 
iously educated,  readily  complied.  Miss  M.  feelingly  related  what 
had  passed  at  home,  then  gave  an  account  of  her  visit  to  Philadelphia, 
and  concluded  with  a  request  to  give  her  views  of  a  future  state.  This 
was  promptly  answered,  in  accordance  with  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible, 
as  the  foundation  of  her  belief.  To  this  Miss  M,  worte  a  reply,  with 
great  care,  fully  developing  her  sentiments,  and  soliciting  an  answer, 
wishing  her  opinion  on  suicide  and  of  future  rewards  and  punishments, 
with  all  the  arguments  she  could  advance  to  sustain  either. 

This  letter  caused  sorrowful  tears  and  deep  reflection  and  solicitude 
to  answer  it  wisely.  K.  H.  knew  the  father  was  an  infidel  by  report. 
Her  duty  was  an  arduous  task.  For  what  argument  could  she  ad- 
vance to  penetrate  a  heart  so  guarded  and  entwined  by  parental 
influence  ?  No  reasoning  would  seem  to  avail,  unless  guided  by  the 
Holy  Spirit,  to  rend  the  veil  of  darkness,  and  shed  rays  of  light  divine 
on  a  mind  so  prejudiced  in  error. 


REMINI80ENCES    OF   WILMINGTON.  97 

However  fruitless  the  attempt,  she  resolved  to  be  faithftil  to  one 
whom  she  loved  and  pitied.  With  gentleness  and  sympathy,  and  in 
the  most  touching  manner,  all  her  questions  were  answered  with  scrip- 
tural reasons. 

As  a  dutiful  daughter,  she  felt  her  father  ought  to  be  informed  of 

the  contents  of  a  correspondence  carried  on  by  one  under  his  roof. 

However  correct  this  feeling  of  honoring  her  parent,  to  comply  with 

.  it  was  sufficient  in  its  effect  to  render  powerless  this  noble  effort  of 

her  friend. 

On  a  memorable  day  an  epistle  was  written  in  a  bolder  strain,  ad- 
vocating the  right  to  shorten  a  miserable  existence. 

The  same  afternoon.  Judge  Bedford  and  lady  made  a  visit  to 
Monckton  Park,  by  her  invitation.  Calling  on  a  friend,  on  their  re- 
turn that  evening,  they  spoke  of  their  pleasant  visit,  and  of  the  charm- 
ing Miss  M.  Mrs.  B.,  an  old  accomplished  lady  of  elegant  manners 
and  accustomed  to  the  very  best  society,  observed  that  Miss  M.  was 
an  astonishing  girl,  brought  up  in  retirement  as  she  had  been.  No 
lady  educated  in  the  most  polished  court  in  Europe  could  have  be- 
haved with  more  dignity  and  grace,  nor  entertained  with  more  ease 
than  she  had  that  evening. 

In  taking  a  view  of  the  grounds,  they  walked  to  the  inlet  near  the 
garden  that  emptied  into  the  Christiana.  In  this  she  observed  the 
tide  ebbed  and  flowed,  and  named  the  hour  of  high  water  that  night, 
and  showed  its  usual  height. 

As  they  drove  away  from  the  gate,  and  she  turned  to  walk  up  to 
the  house,  S.  came  down  the  lawn  to  meet  her.  The  night  was  calm. 
A  cloudless  sky  was  studded  with  stars,  and  the  moon  soaring  up- 
wards in  all  its  brilliancy,  reflected  through  the  trees  on  the  green 
grass  a  soft  light,  and  a  beautiful  view  of  the  distant  hills,  while  its 
silvery  beams  were  glistening  on  the  water  without  a  ripple.  The 
whole  firmament  presented  a  most  glorious  brightness,  inspiring  the 
heart  with  rapturous  joy,  on  contemplating  the  majesty  of  the  great 
Creator,  who  framed  this  wondrous  world  and  sustained  it  by  his 
Omnipotent  hand,  while  a  desire  to  remain  in  it  a  little  longer  would 
seem  the  natural  bent  of  a  youthful  mind. 

But  ah  !  how  thrilling  to  reflect,  one  so  sensitive  to  all  the  beauties 
of  nature  should  be  so  insensible  to  an  accountability  to  the  source 
from  whence  they  flowed — shrink  from  all  those  delightful  scenes, 
and  plunge  into  an  unknown  eternity.  Surely  this  is  strange  and 
inconsistent,  not  to  have  strength  of  mind  to  bear  some  imaginary 
13 


98  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

sorrow  that  might  pass  away  as  the  early  dew,  yet  arouse  their  ener- 
gies with  su(ih  power  as  to  rush  heedlessly  into  an  unknown  eternity. 
This  is  an  insanity  that  can  only  be  accounted  for  by  Him  who  seeth 
not  as  man  sceth;  therefore,  to  his  wisdom  we  submit. 

On  entering  the  room  where  an  infant  sister  lay  asleep,  she  kissed 
her  several  times.  Then  in  the  kitchen  she  spoke  kindly  to  the  cook, 
and  gave  her  a  small  piece  of  gold  as  a  remembrance,  retired  to  a 
chamber,  washed  and  dressed.  On  entering  the  room  with  a  note  iij 
her  hand  where  S.  S.  slept,  she  said,  "  You  would  be  glad  to  read 
this,"  and  pinned  it  in  her  bosom.  She  then  sat  down  by  a  window 
that  overlooked  the  old  church  yard,  and  exclaimed,  "  What  a  lovely 
spot,  Sally ;  remember  I  wish  to  be  buried  there."  Reclining  on  her 
elbow,  in  deep  reflection,  she  said,  "  How  I  wish  I  was  laid  there  now. 
Oh,  how  lovely  !" 

With  a  book  in  her  hand,  she  commenced  to  read.  S.  entreated 
her  not  to  bring  in  the  musquitoes  with  the  light.  She  then  went  into 
another  room.  The  conversation  seemed  so  to  bewilder  the  imagina- 
tion of  S.  that  for  a  time  it  chased  away  sleep.  At  length,  overcome 
and  weary,  she  slept  till  morning,  when  she  saw  M.  was  not  in  bed. 
She  ran  down  stairs  alarmed.  Her  father  inquired  if  his  daughter 
was  not  up.  Finding  she  was  not  in  the  house,  he  was  very  indignant, 
concluding  she  had  gone  with  the  officer  (named).  He  gave  himself 
no  further  trouble.  S.  S.  ventured  to  tell  him  her  fears  that  she  was 
drowned.  He  would  not  listen  to  any  suggestion  of  the  kind,  while 
it  was  evident  that  was  her  fate. 

The  creek  was  dragged,  and  in  this  inlet  it  was  suppossed  the 
dreadful  deed  had  been  effected.  The  father  could  not  be  aroused 
from  his  stupor,  but  sat  in  sullen  silence.  While  the  neighborhood 
was  overshadowed  with  gloom,  the  most  energetic  efforts  were  made  to 
trace  this  solemn  event.  "  Oh,  my  daughter,  they  who  lead  thee  cause 
thee  to  err,  and  destroy  the  way  of  thy  paths,  because  they  have  cast 
away  the  law  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  and  despised  the  words  of  the 
Holy  one  of  Israel "  In  this  agitating  state  of  suspense,  six  weeks  had 
elapsed. 

A  farmer  on  the  Delaware,  two  miles  above  the  Christiana,  was 
mowing  his  meadows,  and  there  the  remains  of  a  female  were  found 
in  a  mutilated  condition.  As  the  families  had  once  lived  near  each 
other,  his  daughter  recognized  the  disfigured  form,  and  discovered  the 
letters  on  her  clothes  (three  M's),  and  the  note  pinned  in  her  bosom, 
now  illegible. 


Rbminiscenges  of  Wilmington.  99 

The  distracted  father  was  sent  for,  and  oh !  what  a  thrilling  moment. 
Is  it  possible  this  can  be  the  remains  of  his  beloved  daughter,  so  late- 
ly the  admiration  of  her  friends,  now  terrifying  to  look  upon?  "I  was 
bowed  down  at  the  hearing  of  it,  I  was  dismayed  at  the  seeing  of  it. 
My  heart  panted :  the  days  of  visitation  are  come.  All  ye  that  pass 
by,  behold  and  see  if  there  be  any  sorrow  like  unto  my  sorrow ;  I  will 
weep  bitterly.  Labor  not  to  comfort  me,  for  my  grief  is  desperate." 
The  bones  were  deposited  in  a  box,  and  privately  interred  in  the 
burying-ground  on  the  farm. 

"  Ah !  how  misled  that  bosom  mild, 
By  treacherous  magic  was  beguiled. 

To  strike  the  deathf ul  blow : 
And  filled  her  soft  ingenuous  mind 
With  many  a  feeling  too  refined, 
And  roused  to  livelier  pangs  her  wakeful  sense  of  woe. 

"Vain  man!  'tis  Heaven's  prerogative 
To  take  what  first  it  deigned  to  give, 

Thy  tributary  breath. 
In  awful  expectation  placed, 
Await  thy  doom,  nor  impious  haste 
To  pluck  from  God's  right  hand  his  instruments  of  death." 

The  mother  was  overwhelmed  with  sorrow,  and  from  that  time  was 
a  regular  attendant  with  her  small  children  at  Friends'  meeting,  where 
they  had  been  brought  up.  The  father  became  such  a  skeleton  that 
no  one  would  have  known  him  in  a  few  weeks.  He  shunned  society, 
and  some  time  after  he  removed  to  the  West,  and  was  no  longer 
known  here. 

Years  have  now  glided  over  this  spot  for  half  a  century,  and  the 
moon  shines  brightly,  the  trees  renew  their  verdure  and  the  grass  its 
freshness ;  the  ploughman  whistles  as  he  tills  the  land,  and  the  earth 
produces  grain,  and  the  water  flows  in  its  wonted  channel ;  yet  this 
mournful  tragedy  of  an  interesting  young  soul  rushing  to  her  doom, 
from  that  hour  remains  enshrouded  in  mystery. 

As  we  have  referred  to  Miss  Hays,  we  will  here  pay  a  small  tribute 
to  her  memory  as  the  friend  of  her  youth.  But  we  will  first  mention 
her  excellent  parents.  John  Hays  was  the  first  cashier  of  the  Bank 
of  Delaware,  the  oldest  bank  in  the  State,  and  always  sustaining  its 
credit,  under  every  pressure,  equal  to  any  in  the  United  States.  As  a 
proof  of  the  importance  of  a  right  beginning,  during  the  prevalence 
of  the  yellow  fever  in  Philadelphia,  dry  goods  merchants  were  here 


100  REMINI80EN0ES    OF   WILMINGTON. 

conducting  their  business,  and  had  transactions  at  that  bank.  I  have 
heard  them  speak  of  Mr.  Hays  with  the  highest  commendation  of  his 
promptness  in  business,  readiness  to  oblige,  and  said  they  had  known 
men  as  ready  to  accommodate  a  friend,  but  never  had  met  with  any 
man  so  willing  to  extend  his  favor.  Yet  he  was  most  fortunate  in  not 
losing  by  this  generous  kindness.  It  might  be  said  he  was  more  ready 
to  give  than  receive. 

His  daughter  was  very  young  when  he  engaged  in  the  bank,  and 
attending  school  for  several  years  after.  From  thirteen  years  of  age 
she  generally  managed  his  private  concerns,  as  his  health  was  delicate. 
A  relative  of  ours  wished  to  purchase  a  farm  near  this  town,  and 
called  on  Mr.  Hays,  who  referred  him  to  his  daughter,  observing, 
"Any  contract  she  made  would  be  confirmed  on  his  part."  This  was 
done,  and  he  became  owner  of  the  farm.  He  afterwards  spoke  of  her 
business  powers,  and  on  settling  up  her  father's  estate,  as  executrix. 
Chancellor  Ridgely,  a  very  exact  man,  spoke  of  the  admirable  manner 
in  which  all  had  been  arranged. 

Mrs.  Hays  was  eminently  pious.  Meekness  and  humility  were  her 
prominent  traits  of  character.  She  was  a  very  delicate  woman,  and 
for  the  last  thirty  years  of  her  life  was  afflicted  with  a  most  distressing 
cough.  A  few  years  before  her  death,  the  eldest  son,  then  father  of  a 
family,  died  very  suddenly.  The  first  time  I  saw  her  after  his  death 
she  observed,  there  was  a  time  when  such  a  calamity  would  have  over- 
whelmed her  frail  frame,  she  feared.  Now  she  felt  herself  no  longer 
an  inhabitant  of  this  earth,  had  given  up  all  her  concern  for  worldly 
afl!airs,  and  committed  herself  and  family  into  the  hands  of  her  Maker, 
who  doeth  all  things  well.  For  years  she  had  retired  at  night,  ex- 
pecting to  awake  in  eternity. 

Mr.  Hays  died  suddenly.  The  old  lady  was  from  home,  and  on 
her  arrival  found  her  husband  a  corpse,  walked  up  and  looking  in  his 
face,  exclaimed,  "Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  praise  his  holy  name, 
in  his  judgments  as  well  as  his  mercies."  She  died  some  time  after. 
"  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy 
Lord." 

We  have  noticed  Miss  Hays'  business  powers,  and  shall  briefly  de- 
lineate her  social  qualities.  We  consider  the  female  character  of  far 
greater  importance  in  society  than  many  are  willing  to  admit :  the 
first  bias  of  the  infant  mind  is  received  from  maternal  instruction, 
and  if  this  teaching  be  void  of  religious  principle,  there  will  be  little 
disposition  to  have  them  inculcated  in  the  minds  of  her  children ;  and 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  101 

though  she  may  permit  it  for  sake  of  form,  this  faiut  outline  will  soon 
pass  away  as  they  grow  older,  unless  her  practice  comport  with  those 
rudiments  of  Christianity  thus  taught. 

It  was  the  happy  lot  of  this  exemplary  female  to  be  under  the 
constant  influence  of  religious  example  and  precept,  and  to  make  re- 
ligion her  rule  of  faith  and  practice  ;  and  though  she  was  not  instructed 
in  any  of  the  ornamental  branches  of  an  education  to  finish  an  accom" 
plished  lady,  she  had  been  well  taught  in  all  that  could  adorn  the 
mind.  These  her  own  labors  continued  to  cultivate  with  gentleness 
and  refinement.  She  was  considered  to  possess  more  than  ordinary 
mind,  and  to  be  an  acquisition  in  any  company  in  which  she  chanced 
to  be  placed. 

Our  acquaintance  commenced  in  early  life,  and  on  an  eventful  day 
that  Gen.  Washington  passed  through  Wilmington,  as  President  of 
the  United  States ;  and  it  must  have  been  soon  after  his  elevation  to 
that  office,  for  I  well  remember  the  crowds  of  people  rushing  on  to  the 
"  Baltimore  road"  to  catch  a  glimpse  as  he  passed. 

There  was  a  point  of  what  was  called  Quaker  Hill  jutted  out  very 
high,  and  overlooked  every  high  place  around,  so  that  nothing  here 
could  obstruct  your  view,  and  descending  so  abruptly  as  to  make  the 
side  impassable  towards  this  road.  No  more  favorable  spot  could 
have  been  selected,  and  here  was  an  old  apple  tree,  the  last  fragment 
of  an  orchard ;  under  this  same  tree  the  ground  was  carpeted  with 
grass  of  the  richest  green. 

Here  our  venerated  General  had  spent  many  hours  in  admiring 
the  surrounding  scenery,  especially  the  beautiful  windings  of  the  Ghris. 
tiana,  and  as  the  setting  sun  was  emitting  its  last  rays,  and  twilight 
commenced,  the  softness  of  their  light  reflected  the  shadows  of  the 
trees  on  the  silvery  water,  delightful  for  an  admirer  of  nature  to  be- 
hold ;  and  on  a  limb  of  this  very  tree  we  were  perched  together,  with 
as  lofty  feelings  as  any  ladies  in  the  land,  looking  down  on  our  com- 
panions with  the  greatest  complacency. 

It  was  a  day  of  great  enjoyment ;  all  was  on  tiptoe  of  expectation^ 
when  his  chariot  appeared,  driving  slowly  through  the  crowd,  he  bow- 
ing, hat  in  hand,  and  white  handkerchiefs  waving,  and  every  face 
flushed,  and  eyes  sparkling  with  joy.  Then  a  reverberating  shout, 
"  Did  3^ou  see  Gen.  Washington  ?"  "  Yes !  he  bowed  to  me !"  was 
again  echoed  through  this  immense  multitude,  all  of  one  mind,  paying 
their  respects  in  this  rustic  way,  to  the  father  of  their  country. 

On  the  Monday  following  we  became  schoolmates,  and  continued 

13 


102  Reminibcenoeb  of  Wilmington. 

so  for  years.     There  a  true  friendship  was  cultivated,  only  ending  in 
death.     "  A  friend  loveth  at  all  times." 

Thus  passes  o'er,  through  varied  life's  career, 
Man's  fleeting  age — tlie  seasons  as  they  fly 

Snatch  from  us  in  their  course,  year  after  year. 
Some  sweet  connection,  some  endearing  tie. 

"  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he 
will  not  depart  from  it."  "  Have  not  I  written  to  thee  excellent  things 
in  counsel  and  knowledge,  that  thy  trust  may  be  in  the  Lord." 

This  worthy  family  were  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  The 
condition  of  these  two  families,  united  in  worldly  friendship,  widely 
differing  in  principles,  both  possessing  superior  mental  attractions,  fully 
illustrate  the  errors  of  false  teaching  and  the  excellencies  of  religious 
example.  "  Halt  ye  between  two  opinions  ?  As  for  me  and  my  house, 
we  will  serve  the  Lord." 

This  once  lovely  spot  we  can  now  only  trace  from  memory.  Such 
a  feeling  to  bring  all  things  to  a  level  pervades  the  community  at  this 
day,  that  it  produces  astonishing  faith,  followed  by  works ;  for  only 
say  to  the  hill,  "  Be  thou  removed,"  and  it  vanishes.  It  may  be  an 
advantage  to  make  the  rugged  places  smooth,  and  the  crooked  paths 
straight,  in  some  instances ;  yet  we  all  see  it  is  carried  out  so  exten- 
sively as  to  destroy  the  beauty  of  the  town,  connected  with  a  reverse 
feeling  in  building  narrow  houses,  soaring  up  like  the  "Tower  of 
Babel." 

Nearly  forty  years  have  passed  since  Peter  Bauduy,  Esq.,  purchased 
Monckton  Park ;  he  had  emigrated  to  this  town  soon  after  the  French 
revolution  of  '90.  Mr.  B.  was  an  enterprising  man,  of  affable  man- 
ners, and  possessing  great  taste  in  the  fine  arts.  A  relic  of  his  skill 
in  painting,  once  much  admired,  is  yet  to  be  seen,  though  much  de- 
faced by  time,  and  retouched  by  a  less  skilful  hand.  It  represents 
the  fabled  story  of  Phaeton,  sdn  of  Phoebus,  driving  the  chariot  of  the 
sun  so  furiously  as  to  threaten  universal  conflagration.  It  has  been 
removed  from  Market  street  near  Seventh  to  the  corner  of  King  and 
Sixth  streets. 

On  removing  to  this  farm,  Mr.  B.  made  great  improvements,  and 
altered  its  name  to  Eden  Park.  Formerly,  this  district  was  very  un- 
healthy, but  draining  the  marshes  has  changed  its  character.  Mr.  B. 
speculated  largely  in  merino  sheep,  and  imported  a  shepherd  and  his 
dogs  from  the  Pyrenees  to  guard  them.  This  project  seemed  unsuc- 
cessful, and  caused  his  removal  to  the  island  of  Cuba,  where  he  and 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  103 

his  wife  died.  During  his  residence  here,  Mr.  B.  was  esteemed  a  use- 
ful citizen  and  a  kind  neighbor. 

Mrs.  B.  was  a  handsome  and  an  accomplished  lady,  and  there  are 
many  survivors  of  her  who  remember  her  with  great  affection. 

Mr.  B.  established  powder-works  at  Eden  Park,  which  are  owned 
by  his  son-in-law,  J.  P.  Gareshe,  Esq.,  who  resides  there,  and  pursues 
the  powder  business.  It  being  so  near  town,  when  explosions  have 
occurred  they  have  caused  much  excitement,  and  with  great  anxiety 
till  their  extent  has  become  known. 


OHAPTEE    YIII. 

English  Fleet— Panic— Hessians— Deserter— Battle  of  Brandyninc— Tranhook— 
Fairfield— Old  Feny— Swedish  Colonists— Rocks— Cave— Indian  Mounds— 
1812  War— Mud  Bulwark— Hon  J.  A.  Bayard— Peace— Note— Major  Cass. 

About  the  period  of  the  battle  of  Brandywiue,  part  of  the  English 
fleet,  the  Roebuck  and  Liverpool,  with  their  tenders,  were  lying  oppo- 
site the  town,  with  the  design  of  bombarding  it.  Providentially,  the 
distance  marred  the  attempt.  Many  farmers  and  their  families  who 
lived  in  the  neck  stood  on  the  shore  to  view  the  fleet,  when  the  orders 
were  given  to  fire.  Such  unexpected  inhumanity  threw  the  whole 
community  into  a  panic. 

Boats  manned  with  Hessians  lauded,  to  whom  orders  were  given 
to  take  the  men  prisoners ;  and  great  efforts  were  made  to  entrap  a 
militia  captain,  who  fled  to  the  house  of  a  relative,  desiring  to  be 
secreted.  The  host  was  a  widower,  with  four  daughters,  and  he,  their 
only  protector,  was  sick.  His  house  was  too  near  the  river  to  aflbrd 
the  captain  security,  and  if  found  there,  might  be  the  occasion  of 
insult  to  the  family.  He  was  advised  to  let  a  man  at  work  in  the 
yard  show  him  a  hollow  log,  in  which  he  might  be  secure.  The  hint 
was  good  ;  he  crawled  in,  the  man  covered  it  over  with  leaves,  and  the 
enemy  scrutinized  every  nook  about  the  premises  in  vain.  Joseph 
Stidham  was  the  captain,  and  Jonas  Stidham  the  farmer. 


104  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

The  latter,  the  day  before  the  battle,  took  his  daughters  to  the 
very  spot,  placing  them  at  a  farm  house  for  safety ;  so  contrary  to  the 
expected  rout ;  and  during  the  engagement,  the  balls  were  whistling 
over  the  house  where  they  were  compelled  to  remain.  It  was  deemed 
a  place  of  security,  and  many  persons  sent  valuables  there.  A  look- 
ing-glass, now  valued  as  a  relic,  and  in  good  preservation,  was  sent  by 
my  mother,  with  all  her  best  furniture,  to  be  placed  there.  But^the 
house  was  injured  by  the  balls,  and  everything  destroyed,  except  this 
glass  and  a  cradle.  These  were  brought  home  on  a  loaded  wagon,  and 
rfre  now  valued  as  a  memento  of  that  eventful  day. 

Several  of  these  Hessians  deserted.  One  of  them,  Peter  Davis, 
was  well  known  as  "  Dutch  Peter."  He  sought  an  asylum  Avith  Mr. 
Girelius,  the  Swedish  minister,  with  whom  he  resided,  taking  charge 
of  his  horse  and  cow,  and  faithfully  performing  his  duty  until  Mr. 
Girelius  left  the  country. 

He  was  long  sexton  of  Trinity  Church,  and  guarded  well  its 
premises.  His  love  for  the  spot  was  proverbial,  and  on  Christmas 
week,  Peter  was  sure  to  visit  the  congregation,  seeming  to  feel  that 
they  were  his  parishioners,  having  learned  to  speak  English  his  own 
way. 

On  entering  your  dwelling  with  the  salutation  of  the  season,  when 
his  health  was  inquired  after,  his  answer,  "  Very  well,  God  be  taukful 
and  tings."  On  these  annual  visits,  it  was  the  custom  to  present  him 
with  a  piece  of  silver.  If  my  mother  was  tardy  in  presenting  her 
offering,  Peter  would  exclaim,  "  Oh,  Mrs.,  how  well  I  dosh  remember 
your  daddy  and  tings !"  This  had  the  desired  effect  to  draw  out  a 
silver  piece,  and  a  drink  too  ;  for  those  days  were  before  the  temper- 
ance reformation. 

Peter  was  an  uncouth  man,  and  had  his  infirmities,  but  was  an 
attentive  and  accommodating  sexton.  Besides  his  escape  while  a 
soldier  from  bullets,  he  was  blown  many  feet  into  the  air  by  the 
blasting  of  rocks,  and  his  face  so  disfigured  by  the  powder  being 
thrown  into  the  skin,  that  the  boys  used  to  call  him  "  Old  powder 
proof" 

He  for  a  long  time  had  charge  of  the  Old  Academy,  and  lived  in 
the  basement ;  and  the  boys  and  girls  who  went  there  to  school  long 
remembered  how  well  Peter  guarded  his  castle,  and  what  a  high-toned 
commander  he  was  when  the  young  urchins  attempted  to  invade  his 
rights,  not  forgetting  Jenny's  molasses  candy.  The  poor  fellow,  after 
miraculous  escapes,  was  drowned  near  the  church ;  and  strange  to  say 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  105 

his  successor  was  drowned  by  falling  with   his  head  into  the  spring 
within  the  cemetery  two  years  after. 

On  the  decease  of  Frederick  Vertz,  he  resided  with  Dolly,  who 
left  him  her  house  and  valuable  lot  for  his  attention. 

On  the  road  to  the  ferry,  the  Swedes  built  their  first  church  of  logs. 
The  place  was  called  Tranhook,  and  Avas  in  a  dilapidated  state,  when 
Trinity  Church  was  erected ;  and  near  the  creek  was  Fairfield,  many 
years  the  residence  of  Dr.  Alexander,  a  surgeon  of  the  Revolution. 
He  was  a  Democrat  of  the  old  school,  famed  for  his  hospitality,  and 
as  a  valuable  member  of  this  community  he  died  lamented. 

Here  was  the  New  Castle  road,  and  the  old  ferry  was  the  only 
crossing  place ;  it  was  often  dangerous  in  high  winds  or  drifts  of  ice. 
Many  accidents  and  even  loss  of  life  occurred,  when  the  boats  or  flats 
were  driven  down  the  creek,  and  it  was  occasionally  impassable. 

An  incident  fresh  in  my  memory  may  suffice  to  show  the  danger, 
though  more  than  thirty  years  have  passed  since  it  occurred.  The  ice 
had  floated  and  partly  dissolved  into  its  watery  element.  Mrs.  M. 
and  her  daughter  had  arrived  here  at  dark  in  the  stage  from  Dover. 
The  ice  was  drifting,  the  day  had  been  unpleasant ;  melting  snow  cov- 
ered the  ground,  rendering  it  inconvenient  to  get  in  and  out  of  the 
carriage,  especially  to  this  lady,  who  was  large  and  not  active ;  and 
the  driver  and  boatmen  advised  her  to  keep  her  seat,  as  there  was  no 
danger.  They  said  it  was  usual  for  ladies  to  sit  still ;  thus  her  own 
judgment  was  overruled. 

As  the  horses  were  stepping  into  the  boat,  the  feet  of  the  leaders 
slipped,  causing  confusion  with  the  others.  In  the  struggle,  the  flat 
dashed  off  into  the  floating  ice  ere  the  men  could  extricate  the  horses. 
In  this  alarming  situation,  their  screams  reached  the  ears  of  some 
sportsmen  who  were  drying  themselves  by  a  fire  in  the  opposite  house. 

They  rushed  out  and  put  off  in  a  boat,  just  in  time  to  save  these 
females  from  their  impending  fate.  The  stage  was  half  filled  with 
water,  and  receding  from  the  shore,  when  the  ladies  were  rescued  by 
the  most  energetic  efforts.  In  tliis  state  of  insensibility,  they  were 
conveyed  to  the  old  ferry-house  on  the  west  side.  Preparations  had 
been  made  at  that  pla(;e  for  their  reception,  and  an  express  sent  for 
Dr.  M.,  the  husband  and  father,  who  lived  two  miles  from  town.  On 
his  arrival  they  had  revived,  and  their  hearts  were  glowing  with  grati- 
tude towards  the  Almighty  Disposer  of  events,  who  had  guided  these 
men  to  their  deliverance.  "  This  is  the  Lord's  doings,  and  marvel' 
lous  in  our  eyes." 
14 


106  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

We  pause  as  we  stand  now  on  a  renowned  site  in  ruins,  hallowed 
to  our  mind  from  association.  Here  the  Swedes  made  their  first  set- 
tlement. On  one  of  the  fanciful  windings  of  the  Christiana  is  a  reef 
of  rocks,  so  steep  that  it  forms  a  quay  where  vessels  lie  securely. 
There  is  a  gradual  ascent  carpeted  with  rich  grass,  and  ships  sail  to 
and  fro  almost  within  your  reach;  fields  and  meadows,  luxuriant  in 
pasture;  the  old  church  in  sight,  with  its  solemn  and  ancient  burial- 
place,  partly  screened  by  lofty  sycamores  which  throw  their  shadows 
over  the  graves  of  many  worthies  whose  dust  is  now  mingled  with  the 
soil ;  and  hills  on  hills  crowned  with  verdure.  On  this  spot  the  Swedes 
built  a  fort,  and  within  it  a  chapel  for  worship,  they  being  religiously 
educated. 

In  some  traits  of  their  character,  they  resembled  the  patriarchs  in 
simplicity  and  honesty,  for  example,  saying,  "  I  am  a  stranger  and 
sojourner  with  you  ;  give  me  a  place  that  I  may  bury  my  dead  out  of 
my  sight ;"  and  as  Abraham  weighed  Ephron  the  silver  which  he  had 
named  in  the  audience  of  the  sons  of  Heth,  so  these  just  men  paid  the 
aborigines  of  the  land,  as  the  patriarch  paid  the  Hittite  :  "  They  did 
justly,  loved  mercy,  and  walked  humbly  with  their  God." 

Thus  they  secured  this  old  grave-yard,  the  depository  of  the  ashes 
of  many  from  foreign  climes,  whether  from  the  remote  regions  of  the 
north,  or  from  "  India's  coral  strand."  They  inculcated  peace  in  their 
intercourse  with  the  savage  tribes,  desirous  to  teach  the  importance  of 
Christianity  by  example — ''  doing  to  others  as  we  would  have  them  do 
to  us."  "  For  they  got  not  the  land  in  possession  by  their  own  sword, 
neither  did  their  own  arm  save  them,  but  thy  right  hand  and  thine 
arm,  and  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  because  thou  hadst  favor  unto 
them." 

This  spot,  once  so  delightful  and  admired,  has  been  shorn  of  its 
greatest  attraction,  torn  up  by  the  blasting  of  rocks,  as  if  the  destroy- 
ing angel  had  passed  over  it,  and  swept  away  every  fragment  of  an- 
tiquity, leaving  no  vestige  for  the  admiration  of  man.  It  was  the 
home  of  my  maternal  ancestors,  the  birthplace  of  my  mother,  and  her 
inheritance  from  her  mother,  Rebecca  Hoffman.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  troublesome  times,  mother  disposed  of  it,  to  her  great  regret 
afterwards.  Here,  and  to  the  church,  she  made  an  annual  lonely 
visit,  even  to  the  last  year  of  her  life. 

In  describing  this  place  as  it  was  in  days  of  old,  she  said  that 
when  the  first  colonists  came,  they  found  a  cave,  of  which  the  interior 
was  impressive,  the  size  of  the  room,  and  so  high  that  the  tallest  man 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  107 

could  stand  erect.  Over  the  bottom  was  a  smooth  rock,  and  in  the 
corner  a  spring  of  delicious  water,  with  an  opening  to  convey  it  off, 
and  her  mother  used  it  for  a  milk-house,  having  a  door  made  to  close 
the  entrance.  It  was  viewed  as  a  curiosity,  and  preserved  with  great 
care  by  the  early  owners.  The  fort  was  in  ruins  from  my  mother's 
childhood,  but  there  was  a  mound  marked  as  an  Indian  burial-place, 
which  was  also  preserved  from  injury.  Here  the  children  of  the 
family  found  many  implements,  as  tomahawks,  hatchets,  and  wampums. 

In  the  days  of  my  childhood,  I  knew  an  old  man  who  lived  solitary 
in  a  cave,  and  employed  himself  in  digging  tussocks  out  of  the 
marshes.  Though  it  was  a  voluntary  act  on  his  part,  the  owners  remu- 
nerated him  for  the  valuable  services  rendered  them. 

Trivial  incidents,  especially  if  connected  with  great  men  or  noble 
deeds,  increase  in  interest  as  years  roll  on.  Therefore,  as  we  are  on 
the  spot,  it  may  be  appropriate  to  relate  some  events  of  the  war  of 
1812.  Previous  to  that  responsible  declaration,  our  quiet  little  town 
was  not  ambitious  of  military  display,  even  to  show  off  a  military 
company,  or  to  listen  to  the  roll  of  the  drum.  But  when  the  trumpet 
of  war  resounded  through  the  land,  the  town  being  in  a  defenceless 
state,  the  emergency  roused  our  townsmen  to  action,  and  it  was  deemed 
important  to  make  some  preparation. 

The  "  Rocks"  were  selected  as  a  place  fitted  to  throw  up  a  mud 
bulwark,  where  cannon  could  be  mounted  to  check  the  approach  of 
an  enemy  by  boats.  Among  the  most  energetic  of  our  citizens  was 
the  statesman,  whom  Delaware  claimed  as  her  own,  second  to  none 
either  in  the  courts  of  justice  or  legislative  halls,  the  Hon.  James  A. 
Bayard,  so  lately  distinguished  in  the  United  States  Senate  by  his 
speech  on  the  subject  of  war,  laid  aside  his  robe  of  state  for  a  season, 
put  on  the  garb  of  a  laborer,  with  ditcher's  boots,  and  a  shovel  on  his 
shoulder,  marched  with  the  mass  to  achieve  their  muddy  work,  and 
with  spirited  men  labored  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun. 

An  artillery  company  was  also  to  be  raised  as  a  defence.  Here 
again  Mr.  Bayard  was  seen  in  rear  of  the  drum  beating  up  for  re- 
cruits. His  noble  figure  has  passed  before  us  in  both  positions.  This 
company  was  soon  complete,  and  one  of  our  respected  statesmen,  Hon. 
C.  A.  Rodney,  was  elected  captain.  To  patronize  such  energetic 
measures,  the  ladies  presented  a  flag,  made  of  lusting,  as  bunting  was 
scarce,  with  an  elegant  staff;  the  cost  being  one  hundred  and  thirty 
dollars. 

Years  have  glided  away,  and  many  of  those  patriots  descended  to 


108  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

the  tomb,  with  a  number  of  the  donors,  who,  if  their  voices  could  be 
heard,  would  be  unanimous  in  wishing  that  ^flag  to  be  preserved  in 
commemoration  of  that  eventful  day.  Yet  to  the  great  chagrin  of 
some  who  were  interested  in  presenting  it,  they  saw  it  flying  at  the 
door  of  an  engine  house,  in  Hanover  Street,  for  which  purpose  it  was 
never  designed. 

In  conclusion,  we  shall  briefly  remark  that  that  eminent  statesman, 
J.  A.  Bayard,  was  soon  apj^ointed  by  the  executive  to  embark  for 
Europe  on  an  embassy  of  peace,  and  this  proceeding  is  recorded  in 
our  national  annals.  But  it  is  sad  to  think  that  one  so  robust  in  con- 
stitution, vigorous  in  mind,  whose  heart  was  glowing  with  patriotism, 
should  be  cut  off  in  the  flower  of  his  age,  amid  the  joyous  hopes  of 
his  relatives  and  his  country. 

At  the  close  of  a  successful  mission,  he  reached  his  native  land, 
and  was  brought  up  the  Christiana,  and  landed  at  "  The  Rocks,"  amid 
the  gloom  of  midnight,  to  avoid  excitement.  Yet  hundreds  of  his 
countrymen  went  there  to  welcome  his  return.  The  aspect  of  the  hour 
was  melancholy,  and  the  mysterious  awe  of  death  threw  around  the 
assemblage  a  sad  and  solemn  silence.  No  voices  were  heard,  nor  the 
tread  of  footsteps  to  disturb  the  repose  of  him  whom  the  people 
delighted  to  honor.  It  seemed  as  if  they  were  breathing  a  requiem 
over  the  grave  of  the  statesman,  whose  last  service  was  to  hail  his 
country  with  the  olive  branch  of  peace. 

And  in  a  few  days,  he  bid  a  sorrowful  adieu  to  the  youthful  family 
of  his  affection.  Those  bereaved  were  left  to  weep  and  mourn,  and 
the  nation  to  deplore  the  loss  of  a  great  statesman  in  the  prime  of 
life.     "  And  the  ambassadors  of  peace  wept  bitterly." 

James  A.  Bayard  and  Csesar  A.  Rodney  were  political  opponents, 
and  often  took  adverse  sides  at  the  bar  and  polls  ;  yet  to  their  honor 
be  it  remembered,  this  opposition  never  marred  their  friendship. 

Many  little  events  gather  consequence  by  rolling  years — for  exam- 
ple: such  a  small  affair  as  a  black  cockade  has  been  the  topic  of  con- 
versation among  men  of  high  order,  and  discussed  in  the  newspapers. 
So  it  would  be  appropriate  here  to  sketch  the  history  of  one. 

In  the  winter  of  '99  and  1800,  a  detachment  of  the  United  States 
army  was  stationed  in  Wilmington,  under  Major  Cass,  who  with  his 
family  were  very  popular,  and  highly  esteemed  by  the  best  society. 

The  black  cockade  was  worn  by  the  officers  generally,  and  a  lieu- 
tenant of  this  regiment  was  desirous  of  having  a  new  one,  and  his 
taste  was  not  easily  suited.     Simple  as  this  was,  there  was  some  diflBl- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  109 

culty  in  procuring  it.  The  paymaster  purchased  a  handsome  one  in 
New  York,  and  having  this  pattern  he  solicited  Miss  D.  C.  to  form  it, 
by  whom  he  was  referred  to  a  friend,  who  promised  to  try,  though  it 
would  be  her  first  attempt.  The  effort  succeeded  so  well  that  Major 
Cass  requested  to  wear  it. 

The  young  officer  apologized  for  disposing  of  it,  and  was  presented 
with  a  second.  The  donor,  feeling  a  high  regard  for  the  heroes  of  the 
Revolution,  felt  a  pride  even  in  doing  a  trifle  for  one  who  had  been  in 
his  country's  service  from  the  battle  of  Lexington.  On  the  first  fire 
on  that  occasion — and  they  heard  him  repeat  this  story  of  his  youth 
— at  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  ran  without  a  coat,  with  musket  in 
his  hand,  and  took  part  in  the  engagement  to  the  end.  Then  he 
entered  the  regular  army,  where  he  was  continued  to  the  present  time  ; 
besides  suffering  many  privations  during  an  Indian  warfare. 

In  1812,  when  Mr.  Bayard  was  ready  to  sail  for  Europe,  the  sister 
of  his  private  secretary,  at  the  request  of  her  brother,  from  the  same 
individual  obtained  a  similar  favor.  As  it  was  the  custom  of  those 
attached  to  the  legation  to  wear  a  black  cockade,  it  was  made  like  the 
former,  and  when  it  was  sent  home,  Mr.  Bayard  saw  it,  and  remarking 
"  it  was  what:"§e  wanted,"  placed  it  in  his  hat,  and  sent  his  respects  to 
the  manufacturer,  "  that  it  would  be  exhibited  in  St.  Petersburgh,  and 
held  in  remembrance."  Anothftr  was  made  for  Mr.  Milligan — and 
thus  ends  my  sketch  of  the  black  cockade. 

In  agitating  the  best  means  for  the  defence  of  the  town  during  the 
last  war,  Mr.  Bauduy  proposed  to  overflow  the  meadows  to  the  Dela- 
ware, as  a  safeguard  from  an  invading  enemy  by  water.  But  the 
expense  of  the  plan  prevented  its  adoption,  though  it  was  approved. 
Incessant  alarms  of  an  advancing  army  were  prevalent,  and  caused 
useless  expense  by  removing  valuables,  though  they  originated  in 
fruitful  imagination,  and  many  amusing  anecdotes  might  be  told. 

We  close  our  tour  round  the  environs  at  a  very  api)ropriate  spot. 
On  every  side,  life's  checkered  scenes  have  been  reviewed.  As  we 
have  encompassed  the  city,  crossing  creeks  and  rivulets,  ascending 
hills  and  descending  into  glens,  our  path  has  been  strewed  with  roses 
and  thorns.  Here  imagination  has  been  cheered  by  some  pleasing 
reminiscence ;  there  touched  with  sorrow  ;  on  tracing  the  valued  life 
or  noble  deeds  of  a  loved  or  respected  one,  who  through  fleeting  years 
had  almost  passed  into  oblivion. 


14* 


OHAPTEE    IX. 

Cemetery— Swede's  Church— Ancient  Customs — Rev.  Erick  Biorck — Rev.  Petrus 
Tranberg — Rev.  Israel  Acrellus,  Historian— Mr  Benzell — Rev.  Lawrence 
Girelius— His  Successors— Chapel— Old  Church  Dilapidated— Renovated. 

Many,  after  their  tumultuous  journey  through  life,  traversing  the 
stormy  ocean,  climbing  icy  mountains,  or  enduring  India  or  Afric's 
burning  sun,  have  made  this  noiseless  abode  their  earthly  resting-place. 

A  venerable  relic  of  antiquity,  in  the  midst  of  a  "  valley  of  dry 
bones,"  arrests  our  attention.  The  loneliness  of  the  sleeping  dust,  and 
crumbling  stones  of  the  old  walls,  softened  by  the  gray  tint  of  age 
and  decay,  make  every  sound  within  the  gate  reverberate  "time's  part- 
ing knell."  If  no  other  inducement  than  curiosity  is  felt,  one  is  amply 
repaid  for  the  trouble  of  a  visit,  defaced  though  it  is  by  time  and  rude 
hands. 

You  can  enter  this  gate,  or  to  the  left  turn  down  a  lane,  overhung 
by  lofty  trees  of  luxuriant  growth,  where  "  the  fowls  of  the  air  have 
their  habitation,  and  the  birds  make  their  nests  and  sing  among  the 
branches,"  shading  the  beasts  of  the  'field,  which  are  standing  har- 
nessed for  the  service  of  men.  Here  let  down  the  bars  and  pass  over. 
Or  you  may  turn  to  the  right,  down  the  thorn  hedge,  midst  its  ocean 
of  foliage,  where  the  mocking-birds  build  their  nest,  greeting  you  with 
their  mimic  notes. 

Here  you  cross  an  old  stile — but  be  cautious  in  descending  its  time- 
worn  steps  ;  they  seem  to  remind  one  to  tread  lightly  over  the  ashes 
of  the  dead.  Majestic  walnut  and  oak  trees  are  interspersed  through 
the  yard.  The  wind  whispering  through  the  leaves  seems  to  breathe 
an  air  of  piety,  so  mournful  that  it  sounds  to  the  listening  ear  like  the 
sighing  of  a  dirge  over  the  grave  of  one  beloved. 

The  mouldering  wood,  and  even  the  iron  letters,  form  sentences  on 
the  decayed  wall,  though  partly  removed  by  being  torn  away  or  fallen 
off.  From  all  these  relics  a  thrilling  voice  is  sounded,  for  it  repeats 
the  story  of  the  past,  and  makes  one  feel  that  some  ancient  sanctity 
rests  here.  Wherever  our  footsteps  linger  within,  on  the  old  brick 
aisles,  or  amid  the  grassy  graves,  to  the  mind  "  all  is  hallowed." 
"  Memory,  like  the  ark's  lone  bird,  sweeps  o'er  the  past,  with  a  few 

110 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  Ill 

bright  leaves  that  have  not  perished,"  and  recalls  forms  long  since 
glided  down  the  shoreless  sea  of  death,  and  the  final  resolving  of  all 
things  into  dust. 

Even  yon  broken  spot  in  the  ceiling,  which  affords  a  resting-place 
for  the  twittering  swallow  to  form  a  sheltered  nest,  and  perch  himself 
on  the  old  cornice  above  your  head,  darting  down  to  provide  for  his 
young,  is  an  emblem  of  decay.  And  the  legends  of  its  remote  history 
seem  to  whisper,  as  we  narrate  its  annals,  of  all  those  who  have  here 
bowed  the  knee  in  prayer,  or  sat  under  the  hearing  of  the  Gospel,  or 
been  brought  here  to  moulder  into  dust.  What  is  now  known  ?  Their 
story  may  have  grow^n  so  dim  that  it  is  not  worth  repeating.  "  So  the 
places  that  now  know  us  will  soon  know  us  no  more." 

As  we  view  these  memorials  of  death,  whose  stern  decree  causes 
floods  of  tears  in  the  hearts  of  the  bereaved,  we  are  taught  that  earthly 
affection  is  soon  quenched,  and  that  we  too  are  mortal  and  destined 
soon  to  give  place  to  others.  This  mouldering  dust  was  once  as  cher- 
ished as  ours  now.  While  the  valued  outer  robe  is  mingling  with  the 
soil,  the  immortal  soul  has  winged  its  flight  to  an  eternal  home,  and 
in  reality  to  appear  before  an  omniscient  God  to  receive  the  plaudit 
of  ''Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy  Lord!"  or  "Depart  from  me,  I  know  you  not." 

These  are  solemn  reflections.  The  rich  man  and  Lazarus  mingle 
in  the  same  earth.  Here  are  doctors  of  divinity,  law,  and  physic,  the 
man  of  science,  the  honored  merchant,  farmer,  mechanic,  and  laborer, 
the  lamented  matron,  the  fair  lady,  the  statesman,  and  brave  warrior, 
who  rushed  into  battle  and  escaped  unscathed  with  the  laurel  on  his 
brow,  all  lie  mingling  together,  and  their  story  ends  in — Here  they 
lie,  too  powerless  to  crush  the  worm  invading  the  cell. 

In  the  midst  of  this  ancient  cemetery  stands  the  church  of  our 
fathers,  in  sweet  seclusion,  situated  below  high  hills  on  the  north,  and 
more  elevated  on  the  west,  sloping  to  fine  meadows  embanked  on  the 
south  and  east,  and  bounded  by  a  graceful  bend  of  the  Christiana 
flowing  around,  with  the  Delaware  river  in  full  view,  giving  the  whole 
scene  an  imposing  and  picturesque  effect. 

"  Half  screened  by  the  trees,  in  the  Sabbath's  calm  smile, 
The  church  of  our  fathers,  how  meekly  it  stands ; 
Oh !  villagers,  gaze  on  the  old  hallowed  pile  : 
It  was  dear  to  their  hearts,  it  was  raised  by  their  hands. 

*'  Who  loves  not  the  place  where  they  worshipped  their  God  ? 
Who  loves  not  the  dust  w-here  their  ashes  repose  ? 


112  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Dear  even  the  daisy  that  grows  on  the  sod, 
And  still  dearer  the  dust  is  from  whence  it  arose. 

"  Then  say,  shall  the  church  which  our  forefathers  built. 
That  the  tempests  of  ages  have  battered  in  vain, 
Be  abandoned  by  us,  from  supineness  or  guilt, 
Oh  say !  shall  it  fall  l)y  the  rash  or  profane  ?" 

Many  recollections  of  ray  childhood,  in  reference  to  this  spot,  crowd 
upon  my  mind,  but  they  might  weary  you.  A  brief  statement  of  the 
mode  of  conveyance  in  those  primitive  days  may  not  be  uninteresting. 

Many  crossed  the  Delaware  from  Jersey  in  boats ;  others,  from  the 
Christiana  and  the  neck,  landed  at  the  rocks ;  canoes  and  batteaux 
were  used,  although  very  unsafe.  In  winter,  rough  sleighs,  sleds  on 
runners,  and  jumpers,  were  common,  as  the  snows  were  deep  and  last- 
ing. Some  went  on  horseback,  with  one  behind,  plunging  through 
the  snow.  There  was  no  fire  in  the  church,  even  while  they  were 
listening  to  a  long  sermon ;  and  there  was  but  one  service  each  week. 
These  religiously  disposed  people  highly  valued  the  privilege  of  hear- 
ing the  Gospel  preached,  and  they  never  allowed  the  weather  to  be  a 
hinderance. 

In  summer,  an  old-fashioned  chair  with  one  horse  was  in  use,  and 
once  upon  a  time  there  was  but  one  of  these.  A  rough  wagon  would 
be  geared  up  on  Sunday  morning  for  the  use  of  the  family ;  but  riders 
on  horseback  were  most  numerous,  and  many  walked.  Even  in  my 
day,  the  very  air  was  clouded  with  dust,  and  each  one  had  to  beware 
of  accidents  from  the  number  of  equestrians.  Family  wagons  were 
the  next  improvement ;  and  in  later  years,  phaetons  and  chariots.  Dr. 
Wharton  rode  in  the  former,  and  Dr.  Girelius  in  the  latter ;  and  after 
a  time,  numbers  of  handsome  coaches  and  carriages  were  seen  in  the 
lane. 

On  Sunday,  the  congregation  was  large ;  aged  people  often  pre- 
ferred going  on  foot.  Several  of  the  Stille  family  are  remembered 
among  .the  pedestrians.  A  female  told  me  she  had  been  baptized  by 
Mr.  Tranberg,  had  been  a  regular  attendant,  walking  three  miles,  and 
then  in  her  eighty-fourth  year.  She  knew  me  as  the  youngest  child 
to  attend  regular  service,  and  also  recollected  my  ancestors. 

An  aged  female,  in  conversation  to-day,  said,  "  Thirty  years  ago 
she  often  walked  from  Dupont's  Banks.  In  passing  the  toll-gate,  the 
keeper  would  sometimes  say,  'Old  Aunty  is  before  on  her  way  to 
church.  She  is  nearly  a  hundred  years  old,  and  can  walk  miles.'  " 
George  Cartmel,  from  the  foot  of  Shell-pot  Hill,  walked  in  every  Sun- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  113 

day.  He  was  an  aged  man,  with  a  staff  and  three-cornered  hat  an.d 
cue,  and  is  still  in  remembrance. 

On  Sunday  morning,  my  venerated  grandsire  took  me  under  his 
fostering  wing,  and  impressed  upon  my  mind  that  we  were  going  to 
church  to  worship  God,  and  that  I  must  sit  still,  and  only  rise  and 
kneel  when  he  did  so.  I  was  placed  upon  my  seat  not  to  turn  my 
back  upon  the  minister,  which  in  those  days  was  considered  disrespect- 
ful. If  this  golden  rule  for  children  to  sit  still  during  divine  service 
was  followed  by  the  present  generation,  we  should  have  much  better 
order  during  divine  service. 

On  the  road  to  the  Old  Ferry  we  crossed  a  run,  turned  through  a 
field  to  the  lane,  now  Seventh  street.  Here  we  were  sure  to  meet  a 
large  number  of  the  neighbors'  cows  hastening  towards  the  church  on 
the  ringing  of  the  bell.  This  practice  had  been  kept  up  from  time 
immemorial,  while  the  service  there  was  regular.  The  attraction  was 
good  pasture  on  opening  the  gate.  Once  our  cow  left  her  companions 
and  followed  grandfather  to  his  pew-door. 

A  gentleman  in  Germantown  told  me  that  his  grandfather  remem- 
bered when  most  persons  in  Philadelphia  kept  cows,  and  employed  a 
man  to  drive  them  to  the  Commons  in  the  morning  and  return  in  the 
evening.  His  stand  was  at  the  drawbridge;  he  blew  a  horn,  and  the 
owners  opened  their  gates  and  the  cows  assembled,  stood  until  the 
company  had  collected ;  when  he  blew  the  signal  they  all  filed  off  in 
order. 

Some  seasons  the  walking  here  was  very  bad,  and  the  good  deeds 
of  one  poor  man  deserve  our  notice.  John  Canouse,  a  day  laborer, 
desirous  to  improve  the  pathway,  prevailed  on  two  or  three  men  to 
assist  him  in  drawing  gravel  down  to  the  Ferry  Lane  from  the  gate ; 
part  of  the  way  be  placed  posts,  laying  on  the  top  a  piece  of  scantling, 
and  digging  a  gutter  on  the  outside.  All  this  was  done  at  his  own 
expense,  hoping  his  example  would  be  followed. 

When  the  Rev.  Richard  D.  Hall  was  Rector,  he  had  ten  laid  from 
town  on  the  path,  which  was  a  great  improvement.  The  country 
members  brought  in  their  carts  and  drew  the  tan,  while  the  town 
members  displayed  their  hospitality  in  providing  refreshment  for  the 
laborers. 

From  my  earliest  recollections,  the  swallows  built  their  nests  in  a 
broken  place  in  the  ceiling.  In  damp  weather  they  were  flying  over 
your  heads,  and  were  a  great  annoyance.  The  pulpit  stood  between 
the  north  porches,  on  the  east  side.     It  was  removed  somewhere  about 

15 


114  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

1793;  the  wood  is  black  walnut.  The  present  trimming  was  in  use 
before  the  Revolution,  and  the  chancel  was  iu  its  present  position.  A 
small  round  stand,  with  a  glass  basin,  was  in  use  as  a  baptismal  font, 
■where  thousands  in  infancy  were  dedicated  to  the  Lord,  and  hundreds 
presented  themselves  in  riper  years,  who  have  long  since  paid  the 
debt  of  nature  and  rendered  up  their  account. 

The  venerable  Bible,  in  use  for  more  than  a  century,  and  in  occa- 
sional use  for  the  last  twenty  years,  is  in  good  order.  It  was  presented 
by  Queen  Aune  in  1712.  In  1820,  on  rebinding  it,  the  notice  of  the 
donor  was  lost.  The  silver  chalice  and  plate,  presented  by  the  miners 
of  Sweden  to  Rev.  Mr.  Biorck,  is  still  in  use. 

Near  the  chancel  stood  the  primitive  stove,  an  old  cannon,  in  which 
the  first  fire  was  made,  for  such  comforts  were  unknown  in  its  early 
days.  I  remember  well  seeing  people  hover  around  it  before  they 
entered  their  pews,  and  the  coals  raked  out  on  the  brick  floor  to  warm 
the  feet.  The  pipe  went  through  the  south  window,  and  high  winds 
blew  back  the  smoke  in  thick  volumes.  At  other  times  people  were 
shivering  with  cold,  but  these  inconveniences  were  borne  with  Chris- 
tian patience.  As  it  was  their  duty  to  go  to  church  on  Sunday,  they 
did  not  let  a  passing  cloud  or  too  little  fire  be  an  apology  for  absence. 

Long  after,  a  large  square  stove  supplied  the  west  end,  greatly 
increasing  comfort,  except  when  the  west  wind  blew.  Then  we  had  a 
thorough  smoking,  as  this  pipe  passed  over  the  gallery.  At  length, 
the  old  cannon,  so  often  fired,  was  discharged  ;  and  a  huge  square 
stove  filled  its  place  ;  it  is  yet  used  in  the  Sunday  School,  not  retained 
for  ornament,  but  for  its  uncommon  power  in  dispensing  heat. 

On  Christmas,  Peter  Davis  dressed  the  church,  and  there  was 
always  green  enough  and  to  spare.  To  adorn  this  spot  was  his  pecu- 
liar pleasure,  so  he  felt  the  gathering  of  green  no  labor. 

"Welcome  bright  evergreens !  the  heart  doth  leap  to  see  you  there, 

Year  after  year,  to  watch  your  verdui'e  creep 

Silently  eloquent !     God's  house  of  prayer ; 

Welcome  on  each  return  of  holy  mom. 

When  shepherds  hailed  the  Saviour  newly  bom." 

At  the  intersection  of  the  aisles,  he  sometimes  planted  a  cedar, 
over  which  he  once  dusted  flour.  If  asked  why,  he  said,  "  Dish  make 
it  semble  de  shnow  and  tings,  and  give  it  de  vintry  look."  Branches 
like  young  trees  darkened  every  window.  A  superabundance  of 
laurel  ornamented  the  pews,  where  holes  were  bored  to  secure  it, 
almost  obstructing  one's  entrance. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  115 

The  rector  ascended  the  pulpit  cautiously,  lest  his  gown  should  mar 
some  of  Peter's  tasty  fixtures.  Entering  the  south  porch,  Peter  was 
sure  to  salute  you,  wishing  you  "  a  happy  Chrismos,"  and  say,  "  Veil! 
vot  closh  my  folk  tink  of  my  tressing  and  tings  dish  Chrismos  f  "Oh, 
it  is  very  handsome,  Peter,  and  we  are  pleased  with  the  trouble  you 
have  taken."  Then  Peter,  drawing  a  long  breath,  would  exclaim, 
"  God  be  tanhful  for  all  dish  plessings  and  tings." 

That  stone  in  front  covers  the  remains  of  Petrus  Tranberg,  rector 
from  1742  to  '48.  It  is  said  that  all  the  materials  were  carried  in 
hand-barrows,  and  that  the  women  filled  their  aprons  with  sand,  hand- 
ing it  to  the  workmen,  so  anxious  were  they  to  have  the  building  com- 
pleted. It  was  dedicated  on  Trinity  Sunday,  1799.*  The  minister 
wore  a  white  surplice.  The  collection  was  over  two  hundred  dollars, 
and  the  congregation  dined  with  the  rector.  Such  ample  provisions 
were  made  that  the  fragments  were  carried  away.  In  1698,  William 
Penn,  being  so  much  pleased  with  their  energy,  presented  them  a  bill 
for  fifty  pounds  sterling  to  aid  in  the  good  work. 

The  belfry  was  over  the  northeast  porch,  the  minister's  pew  on  the 
north  side  of  the  chancel.  At  first  the  pews  were  sold  ;  men  who  had 
families  bought  two.  The  men  sat  on  the  left  side,  the  women  on  the 
right,  advancing  to  the  chancel.  The  congregation  so  soon  increased 
that  one  was  given  up  and  the  family  sat  together. 

In  early  days,  Sunday  collections  were  made,  though  discontinued 
before  my  day,  and  only  collected  for  special  occasions.  During  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  William  Wickes,  the  amount  from  a  charity 
sermon  was  sixtj'  dollars  for  the  Dorcas  Society,  not  attached  to  this 
or  that  church.  In  the  following  winter,  a  collection  for  the  same  by 
Rev.  Levi  Bull,  forty  dollars. 

Rev.  Petrus  Tranberg  left  a  widow  who  long  survived  to  mourn 
her  bereavement.  His  only  son,  an  ofiicer  in  the  army,  was  buried 
here  with  the  honors  of  war,  Andreas  Tranberg,  and  two  daughters. 
At  the  corner  of  French  Street  and  Spring  Alley  stands  a  relic  of 
more  than  a  hundred  years.  When  built  by  Mr.  T.  it  was  a  noble 
mansion.  The  workmanship  was  so  superior  that  people  came  from 
New  York  and  Philadelphia  to  see  it,  and  his  descendants  occupied  it 
the  fifth  generation. 

Digging  down  the  street  has  made  the  only  change  in  the  exterior 
by  raising  it  one  story.     The  interior  is  much  the  same.     Carved  fix- 

*Said  to  be  on  the  4th  of  July. 


116  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

tures  over  the  mantle  are  gone,  on  which  stood  fine  porcelain  jars  for 
ornaments.  The  walls  were  decorated  with  family  portraits  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  T.,  &c.  Mahogany  chairs  with  high  backs,  seeming  to  reach 
half  way  up  the  wall,  tables  with  innumerable  legs  closely  carved,  the 
large  silver  tankards  with  lids,  &c.,  and  the  tiny  but  rich  China  cups, 
all  brought  from  Sweden,  are  still  had  in  remembrance.  A  beautiful 
garden  joined  one  belonging  to  the  parsonage. 

The  eldest  daughter  married  Col.  Benzel,  stationed  at  Crown  Point, 
long  before  the  Revolution.  Events  which  occurred  during  Mrs. 
Benzel's  residence  there  were  related  in  my  presence  to  my  mother, 
and  though  I  was  a  little  child,  they  impressed  me  with  intense  inter- 
est for  the  Indian  character,  and  are  still  fresh  in  my  memory.  Those 
people  made  frequent  visits  to  the  fort,  and  though  they  were  friendly 
at  times,  they  were  furious  when  intoxicated,  and  much  dreaded  in 
the  absence  of  the  principal  officers. 

Being  fond  of  exhibiting  war  scenes  for  the  amusement  of  the 
white  people,  they  would  propose  the  war-dance  and  the  war-Avhoop, 
and  show  their  manner  of  using  the  scalping-knife  and  tomahawk, 
and  form  a  ring,  place  one  within  as  the  object  of  their  vengeance. 
Then  they  would  dance  around  and  sing,  and  give  the  war-whoop, 
with  horrid  yells,  until  they  became  so  excited  as  to  be  terrific.  Yet 
'none  dare  object,  or  appear  dissatisfied  with  these  exhibitions.  One  of 
their  chiefs,  named  Johnson,  was  a  noble  fellow,  with  superior  tact  to 
govern  them,  and  if  he  was  present  to  control  them  there  was  no  fear. 

On  his  annual  visit  to  Mrs.  Benzel,  he  W'as  accompanied  by  his 
wife,  a  well-behaved,  handsome  squaw,  his  two  daughters  and  their 
governess,  who  was  an  accomplished  English  lady.  His  family  re- 
mained at  the  fort,  while  he  went  to  New  York  to  make  purchases  ; 
and  he  would  return,  bringing  the  most  costly  apparel — and  they 
were  agreeable  companions.  He  placed  his  daughters  in  a  convent, 
at  Montreal,  where  Col.  Benzel's  only  child  was  educated. 

During  their  term,  a  sad  catastrophe  happened.  The  soldiers  and 
their  wives  lived  in  the  fort,  and  one  of  the  women  was  boiling  fat  to 
make  soap  ;  it  turned  over  and  set  the  wood-work  on  fire.  The  build- 
ings were  constructed  of  logs,  founded  on  piles,  and  the  magazine, 
containing  a  quantity  of  pow^der,  blew  up.  The  principal  officers,  and 
many  soldiers  were  absent  on  duty,  and  it  continued  ,burning  for  a 
month,  until  the  whole  was  consumed.  Numerous  women  and  chil- 
dren were  inmates,  most  of  whom  made  a  miraculous  escape,  having 
orders  to  run  to  the  lake  and  throw  themselves  on  the  shore,  letting 


a 


p 


r-=»i 


Reminisoences  of  Wilmington.  117 

the  fiery  logs  pass  over  their  heads.     The  spectacle  was  awfully  mag- 
nificent ;  some  were  injured,  and  a  few  were  killed. 

Mr.  Tranberg's  youngest  daughter  married  the  Rev.  Orloff*  Parlin, 
pastor  of  Wicaco  from  July  IT-IO  to  '67,  the  year  of  his  decease.  His 
remains  lie  beneath  the  chancel,  there  covered  by  a  stone,  which  bears 
a  latin  inscription,  expressive  of  his  learning  and  piety,  and  that  he 
was  held  in  great  estimation  by  the  community.  His  widow,  with  her 
two  young  children,  returned  to  her  mother,  at  this  family  mansion, 
where  they  ended  life's  pilgrimage. 

Rev.  Israel  Acrelius,  the  historian  of  the  Swedish  churches  here, 
came  in  1749.  He,  it  is  said,  recorded  more  marriages  than  any 
other.  He  baptized  my  mother  according  to  the  Swedish  usage,  dip- 
ping her  head  partly  in  a  basin  of  water,  at  eight  days  old.  In  1756, 
he  returned  to  Sweden.  His  portrait  was  left  in  the  parsonage,  now 
in  the  lecture  room  of  the  chapel,  with  one  of  his  successors. 

Rev.  Andreas  Boreal,  pastor  in  1762,  was  provost  over  all  the 
Swedish  churches.  He  died,  unmarried,  in  1767.  As  there  is  no  me- 
morial of  him,  some  suppose  he  was  not  interred  here,  but  my  impres- 
sion is  that  his  remains  lie  a  little  space  from  Mr.  Tranberg's  ;  for 
there  was  a  spot,  the  size  of  a  tomb,  where  the  bricks  were  laid  across 
as  if  to  designate  the  spot  for  a  stone.  Besides,  my  mother  would 
have  referred  to  this  removal  had  it  ever  taken  place.  She  spoke  of 
all  the  Swedish  clergymen  being  present  at  his  funeral,  that  he  died 
on  Sunday  morning,  and  that  her  father  was  sent  for  to  the  church. 
His  disease  was  jaundice.  Many  other  little  incidents  were  often 
repeated.  He  was  remarkably  handsome,  and  his  manner  very 
attractive. 

Most  of  the  missionaries  brought  their  portraits,  leaving  them  as  a 
remembrance.     Mr.  Heselius,  and  Lidenius,  each  left  one. 

The  last  Swedish  minister  here.  Rev.  Lawrence  Girelius,  some  of 
us  can  remember  as  an  accomplished  gentleman  and  scholar  of  a  high 
order.  He  was  Rector  of  Trinity  Church  twenty-three  and  a  half 
years.  In  1791,  he  left  here  with  the  kindest  feelings.  He  was  ad- 
vanced in  life,  with  a  young  family,  for  whom  ample  provision  would 
be  made  if  he  died  in  his  native  land,  but  if  left  here  they  would  be 
destitute.  Thus  he  was  prompted  by  duty  to  depart  for  Sweden.  The 
text  of  his  farewell  sermon  was,  "Oh,  Jerusalem,  how  oft  would  I 
have  gathered  thy  children  together,  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens 
under  her  wings,  but  ye  would  not ;  behold,  your  house  is  left  unto  you 
desolate." 

15* 


118  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

It  was  a  solemn  and  touching  separation.  He  had  visited  in  afflic- 
tion, and  hovered  around  many  a  dying  couch  ;  to  the  living  was  a 
steadfast  friend  through  the  woes  of  life ;  "  now  sorrowing  most  of  all 
for  the  words  he  spake,  that  they  should  see  his  face  no  more."  If 
one  of  his  flock  was  missing  on  Sunday,  like  a  faithful  shepherd,  he 
made  a  pastoral  visit  the  following  week,  and  expressed  his  regret  at 
their  absence.  This  had  an  effect  to  secure  a  regular  attendance. 
There  was  no  weekly  service  except  on  some  of  the  holidays. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  his  last  letter  to  the  congregation 
is  lost.  It  was  almost  like  an  epistle  from  the  dead.  It  was  dictated 
in  his  last  moments,  and  written  by  his  son  as  he  was  about  entering 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 

It  was  read  by  the  Rector  on  the  following  Sunday  after  its  recep- 
tion. The  most  impressive  solemnity  prevailed  during  the  reading  of 
the  good  man's  parting  blessing.  With  his  dying  breath  a  prayer  was 
offered  up  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  beloved  flock  at  Christiana. 
They  were  his  early  charge,  as  a  missionary  in  a  strange  land,  then  he 
was  their  chosen  pastor,  and  had  passed  with  them  the  most  important 
part  of  his  ministry,  leaving  them  with  the  kindest  feelings  to  all. 

The  children  of  his  departed  friends,  and  those  with  whom  he  was 
associated,  were  remembered  in  this  letter.  The  ardent  affection  for 
this  portion  of  his  beloved  Zion,  and  the  pious  ejaculations,  touched 
the  hearts  of  those  who  received  it  as  refreshing  dew,  mingling  with 
their  tears  grateful  recollections  of  his  kind  attention  and  christian 
sympathy  in  sorrow's  dark  hour.  And  yet  this  affecting  event  has 
passed  away  "  as  the  early  dew,"  which  none  seem  to  remember. 
"  Brethren,  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God  for  Israel  is  that  they 
might  be  saved."  "Finally,  brethren,  farewell;  be  of  good  comfort, 
be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  peace  shall  be  with  you." 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  Mr.  Girelius'  resignation : — 

"  Lawrence  Girelius,  D.  D.,  the  last  Rector  of  the  Swedish  Church 
in  Wilmington,  commissary  of  the  Swedish  congregations  in  America, 
with  whom  the  Swedish  mission  to  America  ceaseth — after  having 
continued  for  near  one  hundred  years,  namely,  from  1697  to  May  8, 
1791,  when  he  meaneth  to  preach  his  farewell  sermon."  After  having 
been  in  America  twenty-three  and  a  half  years,  and  lived  in  this  world 
fifty-two,  taking  with  liim  to  Sweden  his  wife,  Christiana,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Lideniu?,  thirty-two  years  old,  and  children,  John  Adolphus, 
going  on  eleven,  Brita  Catharina,  going  on  eight,  Lawrence  Gustavus, 
going  on  foui*,  Carl  Jacob,  ten  months  old. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  119 

For  its  singularity,  I  will  describe  the  dress  of  his  eldest  son,  a  boy 
of  nine  or  ten  years  of  age.  John  Adolphus  Girelius,  if  living,  is  a 
minister  in  Sweden,  and  I  have  heard  he  was  a  bishop.  His  long  flaxen 
hair  was  powdered,  cued,  and  tied  with  a  black  ribbon.  A  ruffled  shirt 
and  cambric  stock  plaited  fine,  fastened  behind  with  a  buckle  set  with 
stone ;  buff  vest  and  breeches ;  knee  and  shoe-buckles  set,  white  silk 
stockings  and  black  slippers,  the  buckles  of  which  covered  the  whole 
instep ;  a  long-tailed  coat,  of  either  scarlet  or  blue  broadcloth,  and  a 
three-cornered  cocked  hat;  a  gold  headed  cane.  This,  his  full  dress, 
worn  on  such  occasions,  was  a  miniature  of  the  Swedish  court-dress. 

During  Mr.  G.'s  j^astoral  charge  here,  and  during  the  Revolution, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Patterson  went  to  England,  leaving  his  wife  under  the 
care  of  Mr.  G.,  and  his  business  concerns  to  Joseph  Shallcross.  He 
died  there,  and  Mrs.  Patterson  died  here  soon  after  the  peace.  The 
tombstone  is  in  good  preservation,  being  well  done,  and  under  the 
inspection  of  Mr.  Shallcross. 

A  clergyman's  widow  from  Virginia,  Mrs.  Hamilton,  came  to  re- 
side under  his  fostering  care,  and  called  her  abode  the  "  Widow's  Re- 
treat," where,  with  a  faithful  servant,  Belinda,  she  enjoyed  the  comforts 
of  life  in  a  small  way.  Mrs.  Hamilton's  dignified  manner,  erect  per- 
son, low  curtsey  almost  touching  the  ground,  towering  head-dress,  green 
calash  and  rattling  silk,  with  high  French  heels  clicking  down  the 
aisle,  are  not  easily  forgotten.  This  worthy  lady  was  removed  by 
death  in  old  age.  "  All  the  days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait 
until  my  change  come."  Doctor  Wharton,  of  whom  we  have  given 
a  sketch,  was  successor  to  Mr.  Girelius  for  a  short  period. 

The  next  pastor  of  the  Swedish  Church  was  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Clarkson.  In  1793,  the  broken  place  in  the  ceiling  was  annoying  to 
the  whole  congregation,  looked  at,  and  talked  about  often,  but  was 
still  suffered  to  remain.  But  at  length  two  goodly  matrons  resolved 
it  should  be  repaired,  collected  funds,  employed  workmen,  and  labored 
with  their  own  hands.  No  painting  had  been  done  inside  before  this, 
and  it  was  a  laborious  task.  The  broken  places  in  the  ceiling  were 
plastered,  the  church  painted  and  whitewashed.  This  was  the  first 
improvement  of  its  interior,  done  through  the  energy  of  Mrs.  Isabella 
Crow  and  Mrs.  Margaret  Cartmcl,  who  were  respectable  members  of 
Swedish  descent. 

In  1812  the  Vestry  had  it  thoroughly  cleansed  and  painted.  Then 
the  pulpit  was  spoiled  by  painting  the  black  walnut.  Next  the  Rev. 
William  Wickes  was  pastor.     A  lecture-room  in  Hanover  street  was 


120  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

purchased,  and  a  few  young  men  on  Sunday  afternoons  gave  religious 
instructions  to  larger  children,  and  this  was  the  first  attempt  at  Sun- 
day School  teaching  in  tins  town.  Some  of  these  instructors  are  at 
present  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  viz.,  Rev.  Samuel  Brinckle,  Rev.  S. 
Stratton,  &c. 

On  the  sixth  day  of  June,  1818,  a  Sunday  School,  with  fifty  schol- 
ars, was  regularly  organized  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Levi  Bull,  Rector 
of  this  parish,  and  very  soon  it  enrolled  three  hundred  scholars,  when 
it  was  removed  to  the  Academy,  by  invitation  of  the  worthy  Latin 
teacher,  Joseph  Downing,  who  assisted  every  Sunday.  Many  scat- 
tered sheep  were  brought  back  to  the  fold,  and  numbers  added. 

In  1820,  by  female  energy,  the  church  was  cleaned,  the  walls 
stained,  and  the  brick  aisles  mended  and  painted.  Besides,  the  win- 
dow-curtains, new  carpets  and  cushions,  made  a  great  improvement. 
E.  M.  made  the  collections  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  dollars.  The 
bills  were  sent  receipted  to  the  Vestry,  and  their  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
ladies  received. 

One  cheerful  giver,  who  is  "no  more,"  deserves  our  notice.  Isaac 
Stidham,  when  asked  to  contribute,  handed  a  purse  filled  with  silver, 
and  said,  "  Take  what  you  please,  for  it  rejoices  my  heart  to  hear  the 
women  have  engaged  in  this  good  work,  and  let  them  call  freely  on 
me  for  assistance  to  promote  any  improvement  for  the  interest  of  my 
church.  I  was  nine  years  a  member  of  the  Vestry,  and  did  no  good 
thing,  nor  witnessed  any  effort  in  my  colleagues.  The  breach  in  the 
ceiling  was  viewed  and  talked  over  every  Sunday,  until  the  women 
aroused,  went  to  work,  and  had  it  repaired.  My  only  hope  for  pre- 
venting that  ancient  edifice  from  crumbling  to  ruins  rests  on  the  en- 
ergy and  zeal  of  women." 

At  a  subsequent  day  this  hope  was  realized.  At  twelve  o'clock  on 
Saturday  night  it  was  completed,  and  Sunday  morning  one  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  were  confirmed  by  our  venerable  Bishop  White,  and 
six  months  after,  fifty-seven  more.  Rev.  Richard  D.  Hall,  as  a  faith- 
ful pastor,  was  rewarded  by  a  harvest  of  ingathering. 

In  1830,  a  chapel  was  built  in  town,  while  Rev.  Isaac  Pardee  was 
pastor.  At  Christmas  the  Old  Church  was  left  for  the  winter,  intend- 
ing to  resume  service  there  on  Easter  Sunday.  The  windows  being 
without  shutters,  were  opened  and  broken,  despoiled  of  curtains,  &c. 
They  were  so  shattered  that  no  attempt  was  made  to  repair  what 
reckless  mortals  had  done  to  aid  time  in  this  devastation. 

The  Old  Church  had  long  been  mouldering  into  ruin,  and  its  for- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  121 

lorn  state  lamented.  Much  was  said  and  written  without  effect,  until 
a  second  proposition  was  made  to  remove  the  bell  to  the  chapel. 

This  aroused  a  few,  who  most  strenuously  opposed  it.  Two  or 
three  females  talked  over  the  disgraceful  condition  of  the  church  of 
their  ancestors,  and  resolved  on  making  an  effort  to  resuscitate  the 
venerable  pile.  Aware  of  the  difficulty,  "  the  lion  in  their  path  was 
met,"  and  one  obstacle  after  another  overcome. 

"  Then  contended  I  with  the  rulers,  and  said,  Why  is  the  house  of 
God  forsaken  ?  and  I  gathered  them  together  and  said,  See  the  dis- 
tress we  are  in."  "  Why  should  not  my  countenance  be  sad,  when 
the  place  of  my  father's  sepulchre  lieth  waste  !"  And  they  said,  "For 
what  dost  thou  make  request '?"  when  I  replied,  "  Come,  let  us  build 
up  the  walls,  that  we  be  no  more  a  reproach  ;"  and  they  said,  "  Let  us 
build."  Now  an  arrangement  was  made  with  the  vestry,  and  the 
women  assembled  in  numbers,  much  interested,  though  all  declined 
but  six,  as  money  was  scarce,  on  the  first  suspension  of  the  United 
States  Bank,  and  they  feared  a  failure. 

This  little  band  engaged  in  it  under  the  guidance  of  a  special 
Providence,  with  the  whole  heart,  and  soon  had  the  inexpressible  plea- 
sure of  seeing  the  work  prosper  in  their  hands. 

Free-will  offerings  were  sent.  Twenty  dollars  from  Mrs.  Ham- 
mond in  France,  and  one  hundred  dollars  from  the  Misses  McCall  of 
Philadelphia,  and  many  others.  Our  collections  exceeded  nine  hun- 
dred dollars.  One-half  was  roofed  anew,  new  windows  with  stone 
sills,  which  cost  twenty  dollars  were  presented  by  Nelson  Clealand. 
One  window  shutter,  which  cost  ten  dollars,  by  Mrs.  Francis,  of 
Philadelphia  ;  another  shutter  costing  the  same  by  W.  H.  Keating, 
of  the  same  place.  The  east  shutter,  which  was  the  largest,  twenty 
dollars,  by  Charles  Bush,  deducted  from  the  price  of  the  iron  gate 
which  he  erected,  and  twenty  dollars  in  work  by  Elisha  Huxley. 
The  bell  was  secured,  a  stone  wall  built  on  one  side  of  the  grave-yard 
toward  which  Major  Peter  Jaquett  left  the  handserae  amount  of  four 
hundred  dollars — and  coping  was  laid  around  the  whole,  with  an  iron 
gate.  So  the  wall  was  finished  in  the  year  1837.  "  It  gives  us  a  revi- 
ving to  set  up  the  house  of  our  God  and  repair  the  desolation  thereof" 

Mrs.  A.  G.,  Mrs.  A.  B.,  Mrs.  E.  C,  Miss  E.  M.,  Misses  A.  and  S. 
A.  H.  accomplished  this  work,  intending  to  place  a  hipt-roof  stone 
fabric  near  the  gateway,  in  keeping  with  the  ancient  edifice,  to  be 
occupied  by  the  person  who  had  charge  of  the  cemetery. 

The  church  was  then  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  Hiram 

16 


122  Ueminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Adams.  That  tliis  intention  was  not  completed  is  now  to  be  regretted, 
as  the  present  structure  is  so  unsuited,  and  spoils  the  antique  appear- 
ance, besides  concealing  the  view  on  one  side. 

The  exterior  being  respectable,  induced  Miss  Henrietta  Almond  to 
leave  by  will  seven  hundred  dollars  to  repair  the  interior.  The  ceil- 
ing was  renewed,  and  the  gallery  with  the  same  pews  as  of  old.  Down 
stairs  the  pews  were  so  destroyed  by  rude  hands  it  seemed  expedient 
to  place  benches,  and  lay  a  floor  over  the  bricks.  It  was  painted,  and 
when  reopened  for  occasional  worship,  such  crowds  assembled  that 
hundreds  could  not  gain  an  entrance.  They  came  even  from  Phila- 
delphia. 

The  stairs  were  formerly  in  the  south  porch  that  led  to  a  balcony, 
the  entrance  into  the  gallery.  The  rise  and  progress  of  this  church 
is  so  well  known  as  a  matter  of  history  that  it  needs  no  comment. 
This  being  the  only  detail  of  its  fall  and  restoration,  is  our  apology 
for  minuteness.  As  we  may  have  wearied  you  with  repairs,  we  will 
conclude  with  a  new  subject  more  entertaining  to  the  youthful  mind. 


CHAPTER    X. 

A  Ghost  Story — Esquimaux — Cemeteiy — Solemn  Funeral — A  Sad  Accident — Dr. 
Capelle — Adventures  of  a  French  Soldier— Dr.  Bayard. 

Once  upon  a  time  a  story  was  afloat  that  a  ghost  was  seen  in  the 
old  churchyard.  However,  the  present  generation  are  too  enlightened 
to  give  credence  to  such  legends,  which,  without  jDatronage,  must  die, 
and  this  was  almost  gone. 

A  spot  better  fitted  up  for  a  ghost  story  could  hardly  be  imagined. 
Here  was  an  old  church,  isolated  in  the  midst  of  an  ancient  cemetery, 
surrounded  by  the  remains  of  departed  ages  ;  an  old  bell  which  had 
tolled  at  each  funeral  rite  for  upw^ards  of  a  hundred  years.  There, 
too,  were  lofty  old  sycamores,  which  had  shaded  many  an  animal  from 
the  burning  rays  of  the  sun  in  this  lane,  and  while  the  master  was 
listening  to  the  sound  of  the  Gospel  within,  they  enjoyed  this  outside 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  123 

shade,  for  the  merciful  man  has  mercy  for  his  beast.  Trees  and  thorn- 
hedges,  inhabited  by  feathered  songsters  tuning  their  varied  notes, 
made  this  a  rural  spot. 

To  add  to  this  fitness,  the  Christiana,  with  its  inimitable  bend,  was 
flowing  at  the  foot  of  the  yard,  and  this  was  a  stream  traversed  in  by- 
•gone  days  by  the  notorious  buccaneer  Blackbeard,  by  whom  it  was 
■said  much  booty  had  been  buried  on  the  banks.  And  tales  were  in  re- 
membrance of  men  digging  for  the  treasure,  and  seeing  hobgoblins 
and  Jack  O'Lauterns  who  led  them  astray  at  the  moment  of  success. 
The  rocks  within  sight  were  his  landing-place,  and  even  in  my  day 
silly  men  went  there  to  dig  for  money. 

Well,  a  wonderful  incident  revived  the  extinguishing  embers  of 
this  story.  On  a  clear  hot  night  in  summer  no  one  is  disposed  to 
retire  early.  About  twelve  o'clock  the  old  bell  rung.  It  was  very 
strange.  There  could  be  no  mistake  in  the  sound,  for  it  was  a  first- 
rate  bell  for  its  size.  What  could  it  mean  ?  Every  one  was  aroused. 
-At  daydawn  the  sexton  went  down  to  examine,  and  found  all  right, 
-and  it  was  impossible  to  ring  it  without  entering  the  gallery,  as  the 
:*tairs  were  on  the  outside.  A  massive  door  opened  in  a  balcony  within 
the  south  porch,  and  it  was  fastened  with  a  huge  lo«k  brought  from 
Sweden,  which  few,  even  wVth  the  right  key,  could  unlock. 

The  same  hour  on  the,  succeeding  night  it  rang  again.  Now  it  was 
minutely  investigated,  »out  no  clue  appeared  to  unravel  the  mystery, 
and  it  became  the  cb'it-chat  of  the  whole  vicinity.  A  third  was  watch- 
night  till  long  pa'o*^  the  time.  But  no  sooner  had  the  watch  left  than 
ding  dong  went  'the  old  bell.  Three  successive  nights !  How  ominous ! 
One  thought  ',  ^  portended  war,  another  famine,  a  third  concluded  pes- 
tilence was,  the  most  probable.  Well,  this  was  as  superstitious  as  the 
belief  in  g}iosts,  which  did  not  bear  the  light  of  the  age.  So  conjec- 
ture v^cjg  ^^  its  wit's  end. 

On  the  following  day  some  Esquimaux  Indians,  who  had  been  here 
^  ,  few  days,  having  their  canoes  of  skin  about  three  yards  long,  with  a 
"hole  in  the  middle  to  get  in  with  their  feet,  and  a  paddle  in  each  hand, 
proposed  to  exhibit  their  skill  on  the  Christiana  this  afternoon,  if 
some  expert  boatmen  would  race  with  them.  Thousands  assembled 
at  the  bridge  and  wharves  to  witness  this  novel  exercise,  and  it  was 
really  amusing  to  see  how  swift  these  canoes  could  glide  over  the  water 
round  the  boats,  splashing  the  men  with  their  paddles,  wetting  them 
all  over.     At  sunset  the  sport  ended. 

Two  young  girls,  previous  to  going  to  the  l^ridge,  had  been  to  the 


124  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

old  church,  where  one  left  her  bag  in  the  balcony.  Now,  here  was  a 
sad  (lilomma.  What  could  she  do?  Not  go  home  without  her  bag. 
At  last  her  friend  agreed  to  accompany  her,  and  wait  outside  the  fence. 
So  with  fear  and  trembling  she  started  into  the  yard,  and  found  the 
lost  treasure  in  the  balcony,  but  in  descending  the  steps  screamed 
aloud,  fainted,  and  fell !  The  other  ran,  called  men  to  her  assistance 
from  the  brick-yard,  who  carried  her  home  insensible. 

A  physician  was  sent  for,  who  found  her  ill.  Days  elapsed  before 
she  revived  a  little  to  give  an  account  of  the  cause  of  her  alarm  as 
follows:  She  was  not  much  afraid,  as  it  was  yet  daylight,  but  in  com- 
ing down  the  steps,  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun  glittered  so  beautifully 
on  the  creek,  her  attention  was  for  the  moment  arrested.  As  she 
moved  her  eyes  from  this  object,  the  bushes  in  a  thicket  at  the  lower 
part  of  the  yard  were  in  motion.  This  alarmed  her,  and  her  strength 
failed. 

Instantly  she  saw  the  skeleton  of  a  man  arise ;  his  head  was  dis- 
tinct above  the  bushes ;  then  her  heart  went  pit  a  pat ;  she  felt  the 
hair  rise  on  her  head ;  now  powerless  she  saw  a  human  hand  uplifted, 
and  with  a  large  bright  knife  sever  the  head  with  one  blow.  She 
screamed  and  fell  insensible,  and  i-emained  so  for  days. 

This  girl  was  of  an  age  to  discern  ai'ight,  had  the  character  of  tell- 
ing the  truth ;  besides,  her  condition  made  it  evident  that  something 
more  than  ordinary  must  have  happened. 

This,  added  to  the  unaccountable  tolling  of  the  bell,  fanned  the 
embers  of  the  dying  story  until  it  flew  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  gath- 
ering as  it  went.'  One  would  say,  "What  do  you  think?"  A  sage 
one,  famed  in  legendary  lore,  could  relate  the  adventures  of  her -grand- 
father in  pursuing  ghosts;  another  the  nurse  story  of  haunted  houses  ; 
each  one  well  authenticated,  while  a  third  one  had  read  a  very  long 
mysterious  aflair,  related  by  a  clergyman  on  his  own  veracity.  These 
added  to  the  budget.  Yet  no  one  was  in  the  least  superstitious ;  no, 
indeed !  This  generation  was  too  enlightened  to  give  credence  to 
ghost  stories. 

Notwithstanding  their  assertions,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  age,  all 
were  on  the  tip-toe  of  curiosity  to  unravel  the  mysterious  affair,  and  we 
know  not  the  extent  to  which  imagination  would  have  led  many  had 
not  the  story  been  unraveled  by  the  honest  avowal  of  two  boys,  in 
search  of  fishing-rods,  who  went  to  the  thicket  at  the  time  mentioned. 
One  found  the  skeleton  of  a  horse's  head,  and  held  it  up  just  as  the 
other  struck  his  knife  to  cut  a  rod.     The  stroke  caused  it  to  fall  from 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  125 

his  hand.  So  ends  this  ghost  story  ;  and  it  is  supposed  that  some  one 
phxced  a  ladder  against  the  belfry  window,  and  ascended  in  that  way 
to  ring  the  bell.  The  quietness  and  rural  scenery  of  this  sequestered 
spot  has  passed  away ;  no  longer  to  be  admired  for  the  green  fields, 
lofty  oak  trees,  thorn  hedges,  or  melodious  songsters.  Even  the  frogs 
seem  to  have  sought  more  retirement.  Within  a  few  years  all  have 
vanished,  and  their  places  filled  by  whole  streets  of  houses  occupied  by 
the  human  family. 

While  we  are  in  this  old  grave-yard,  we  will  sketch  some  reminis- 
cences of  the  departed.  It  may  be  proper,  in  rescuing  this  relic  from 
the  ravages  of  desolation,  to  notice  one  of  our  associates,  Mrs.  Eliza 
Cox,  who  speedily  left  her  earthly  labors,  and  her  soul  winged  its 
flight  beyond  the  grave,  while  her  mortal  part  lies  beneath  these  sods. 

Years  have  rolled  down  the  stream  of  time,  since  at  yon  old  chan- 
cel she  knelt  and  vowed  to  serve  the  Lord.  The  love  enkindled  in 
her  bosom  for  the  spot,  it  ever  burned  brightly,  prompting  her  to  aid 
in  its  prosperity;  and  few  were  more  efiicient,  though  without  wealth 
or  much  influence.  She  did  a  good  part  because  her  heart  was  warm, 
and  her  purse  and  hands  never  closed  to  charity. 

In  this  town,  most  benevolent  societies  sustained  a  loss  in  her 
death  ;  while  her  private  acts  deserve  especial  notice,  for  they  were  of 
rare  character.  Many  are  as  ready  to  relieve  an  afilicted  friend,  and 
even  make  sacrifices  to  oblige;  but  I  have  never  known  one  so  ready 
to  leave  her  domestic  concerns,  set  aside  prejudice,  selfish  feeling,  &c., 
and  enter  the  most  loathesome  abode  of  poverty,  unawed  by  disease, 
regardless  of  unworthiness,  and  strive  with  all  her  powers  to  alleviate 
suffering.  "  The  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to  perish  came  upon 
me,  because  I  delivered  the  poor  that  cried,  and  him  that  had  none 
to  help  him." 

That  gray  stone,  some  distance  south  of  the  porch,  cut  like  a  heart 
at  the  top,  is  I  believe  the  most  ancient  in  the  yard.  The  inscription 
written  in  capital  letters,  with  no  pointing,  it  is  hard  to  decipher.  It 
commemorates  William  Vandever,  who  lived  about  1700,  and  is  quite 
a  curiosity  in  the  present  day. 

On  the  east  is  the  tomb  of  Hon.  Samuel  White,  U.  S.  Senator. 
He  was  extremely  handsome,  and  of  noble  appearance,  and  died  in 
the  prime  of  life  unmarried.  His  country  lost  a  worthy  citizen,  and 
his  friends  an  acceptable  companion.  By  his  side  lies  his  w'orthy 
friend  Dr.  Horsey.  To  the  eastward  lies  Dr.  Dale,  who  once  felt  a 
deep  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  this  church,  who  was  suddenly  called 
16* 


126  REMINI8GENGE8    OF    WILMINGTON. 

from  his  youthful  family  to  rest  in  yon  tomb,  and  when  his  useful 
labors  ceased,  many  mourned  his  loss. 

On  the  south  side,  witliout  a  wtone  to  mark  the  spot,  lie  the  re* 
mains  of  Peter  Caverly,  Esq.,  a  worthy  son  of  Delaware,  who  resided 
some  years  in  Wilmington,  and  was  cashier  of  the  Farmers'  Bank. 
He  was  suddenly  called  from  his  labors  to  leave  an  interesting  family 
to  mourn.  Mrs.  Matilda  Caverly  was  an  estimable  lady,  long  a  valued 
member  of  Trinity  Church. 

Here  also  lie  the  remains  of  a  surgeon  in  the  Revolution,  Dr. 
George  Stevenson.  Though  advanced  in  age,  his  appearance  was  as 
in  the  prime  of  life,  fine  looking,  his  faculties  unimpaired,  and  his 
manner  polished.  A  large  family  and  many  friends  lamented  his  loss. 
"  But  man  dieth  and  wasteth  away.  Yea,  a  man  giveth  up  the  ghost, 
and  where  is  he?" 

Rev.  W.  Price  and  two  wives  are  interred  near  the  south  porch. 
Rev.  Ralph  Williston,  when  Rector,  lost  an  estimable  and  beautiful 
wife.  In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  she  was  summoned  to  leave  nine 
children,  the  oldest  sixteen,  the  youngest  an  infant  not  even  of  days. 
This  mournful  event  awakened  general  sympathy,  and  as  the  solemn 
interment  was  unusual,  a  sketch  may  not  be  inappropriate.  An  im- 
mense procession  waited  the  arrival  of  expected  friends,  until  day  had 
nearly  closed — then  in  solemn  stillness  they  proceeded  to  the  gate. 

The  evening  clock  had  tolled,  and  hark !  the  bell 

Of  death  beats  slow.     Heard  ye  the  note  profound  ? 
It  pauses  now;  and  now,  with  rising  knell. 

Flings  to  the  hollow  wind  its  mournful  sound. 
Yes ;  a  mother's  corpse  is  on  yon  sable  bier, 

Where  cold  and  wan  the  slumberer  rests  her  head ; 
In  still  small  whispers  to  reflection's  ear, 

She  breathes  the  solemn  dictates  of  the  dead. 

The  late  lamented  Rev.  Wilson  Prestman,  in  a  deep  and  touching 
voice,  pronounced,  "I am  the  resurrection  and  the  life;  whosoever  he- 
lieveth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live." 

The  evening  was  clear  and  calm  ;  the  sun  had  retired  beyond  the 
western  hills ;  but  its  faint  beams  glistened  on  the  water.  The  long 
shadows  of  evening  were  thrown  over  the  nol)le  trees,  as  the  mantle 
of  sorrow  enwrapt  the  multitude  who  had  assembled  to  behold  the 
mournful  sight  of  eight  young  children  following  to  the  grave  a  de- 
voted mother,  taken  in  the  flower  of  life. 

As  the  words  "  earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashfi^y  dust  to  dxist,"  were  heard, 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  127 

and  the  sad  sound  on  the  coffin,  aided  by  twilight  and  the  feol't  reflec- 
tion of  the  moon,  an  awful  silence  pervaded  the  company.  No  confu- 
sion marred  the  solemn  order.  Naught  was  heard  but  infant  sobs, 
though  it  was  supposed  three  thousand  persons  were  present.  The 
inhabitants  said,  "  This  is  a  grievous  mourning,  indeed." 

A  sad  disaster  befell  a  sister  of  the  deceased  on  her  return  to  New 
York.  Mr.  Williston  resigned  her,  on  board  of  the  boat  at  Philadel- 
phia, to  the  care  of  a  gentleman  who  promised  to  escort  her  home. 
They  were  strangers  to  eafch  other.  It  was  the  gray  dawn  of  morn- 
ing, and  he  only  saw  a  tall  lady  dressed  in  black. 

Two  opposition  boats  started  at  the  same  hour,  and  resolved  upon 
a  race.  Rounding  from  the  wharf  occasioned  a  slight  accident,  which 
caused  alarm.  The  captain  imprudently  expressed  his  fears  that  this 
boat  would  sink,  which  threw  the  passengers  into  confusion.  They 
all  ran  to  one  side  except  Miss  R.;  she  sprang  into  the  small  boat  at 
the  stern.  It  turned,  and  she  fell  into  the  river.  Some  one  cried 
"  There  is  a  person  overboard  ;"  but  it  was  unheeded. 

The  captain  of  the  other  boat,  now  ahead,  saw  the  plunge,  lessened 
his  steam,  jumped  into  the  boat,  and  caught  her  by  the  hair  at  the 
inoment  she  was  sinking  exhausted  by  her  long  struggle.  She  was 
rolled  in  blankets,  and  laid  in  the  berth. 

In  the  meantime,  as  they  were  sitting  down  to  breakfast,  Dr. 
McLane  inquired  of  Miss  R's  escort  "  where  she  was  ?''  He  replied, 
"  In  the  ladies'  cabin,"  as  she  declined  taking  breakfast.  The  Dr. 
rose  to  insist  upon  her  taking  some  refreshment,  but  could  not  find 
her,  A  general  alarm  ensued,  and  now  it  was  announced  that  some 
one  had  fallen  overboard,  and  the  captain  was  fi'eely  censured  for  his 
indifference.  They  hoped  she  had  been  rescued  by  the  persons  in  the 
other  boat,  as  they  had  observed  them  letting  off  steam. 

The  moment  it  was  possible,  the  doctor  went  to  her  assistance,  and 
fouLid  her  almost  lifeless,  and  they  were  making  an  effort  to  take  her 
on  deck  ;  but  the  draught  of  air  would  have  caused  instant  death. 
By  thv'^  greatest  care  she  revived  ;  was  taken  to  Philadelphia.  Dr. 
McLane  watched  over  her  until  morning.  By  skill  and  kindness,  she 
partially  revived.  Weeks  elapsed  ere  she  could  take  one  step ;  and 
her  hands  and  feet  remained  black,  though  in  time  she  recovered. 
"  All  thy  billows  and  waves  passed  over  me." 

A  sorrowful  incident  of  more  recent  date  will  end  the  record  of 
the  rectors  of  this  parish.  When  a  stranger,  the  Rev.  J.  W.  McCul- 
lough  lost  an  estimable  and  interesting  wife,  who  left  four  children, 


128  Reminisoenges  of  Wilmington. 

one  an  infant  of  days,  to  weep  over  the  loss  of  a  mother.  Sympathiz- 
ing strangers  poured  in  oil  and  wine  to  heal  this  wound  of  an 
afflicted  family,  and  a  monument  is  here  erected  to  her  memory. 

In  our  retainiscences,  we  have  not  observed  chronological  order, 
because  we  relate  from  memory  facts  as  they  are  revived,  either  passed 
under  our  own  observation  or  collected  in  past  days,  from  well  authen- 
ticated sources.  An  extraordinary  funeral  procession,  in  the  Masonic 
order,  is  next  related. 

Dr.  Capelle,  a  surgeon  in  the  French  asoay,  who  came  with  Gene- 
ral Lafayette,  and  served  through  the  Revolutionary  war,  after  peace 
was  declared,  made  this  town  his  residence,  and  married  a  young  lady 
from  Maryland.  He  was  much  respected  as  a  practitioner  and  a  gen- 
tleman, but  died,  after  a  short  illness,  in  1796,  leaving  his  widow  and 
children  to  mourn  an  affectionate  husband  and  father. 

Respect  for  his  memory,  and  the  display  of  a  procession,  gathered 
a  large  company  at  his  funeral.  He  was  to  be  interred  with  Masonic 
honors.  The  coffin  was  deposited,  and  the  funeral  services  of  the 
church  performed  ;  musicians  were  engaged  to  sing,  and  while  conclud- 
ing the  hymn,  "  Vital  spark  of  heavenly  flame,"  &c.,  suddenly  it 
grew  dark,  and  a  high  wind  which  had  prevailed  increased  almost  to 
a  hurricane ;  some  crows  which  had  perched  on  the  old  sycamores,  in 
the  lane,  were  routed,  and  the  gale  being  so  strong  that  they  could 
not  soar,  descended  among  the  people,  flapping  their  wmgs  over  the 
grave. 

This  strange  incident  terrified  the  ignorant,  who  were  prepossessed 
with  the  idea  that  the  Free  Masons  had  dealings  with  evil  spirits,  and 
now  this  was  confirmed  to  their  own  senses,  for  they  saw  the  little 
black  demons  flitting  ai'ound,  while  darkness  and  thunder,  and  wind, 
awfully  terrific,  seemed  their  appropriate  element.  Attributing  the 
whole  to  Masonic  mystery,  they  sprang  over  the  wall  and  ran  for  life, 
and  the  event  led  to  great  speculative  argument  on  the  science  of 
Masonry.  "  And  his  servants  said  to  him.  Behold,  there  is  a  woman 
that  hath  a  familiar  spirit  at  Endor  ;  and  Saul  disguised  himself,  and 
put  on  other  raiment,  and  he  went,  and  two  men  with  him,  and  they 
came  to  the  woman  by  night." 

Another  French  physician  claims  our  notice.  Dr.  Bayard  emi- 
grated here  during  the  troublesome  times  in  France  ;  he  purchased 
the  house  corner  of  French  and  Kent  streets  ;  he  did  not  practice, 
but,  as  a  benevolent  man,  gratuitously  gave  advice  in  cancerous  and 
scrofulous  diseases,  in  which  he  was  eminently  successful.     His  pa- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  129 

tients  were  kept  under  strict  diet,  often  provided  in  his  own  house,  at 
his  expense,  if  they  were  poor.  Those  are  living  to  testify  to  his 
benevolence. 

In  1797,  many  distinguished  persons  followed  him  to  the  grave. 
"The  steps  of  a  good  man  are  ordered  by  the  Lord." 

Mrs.  Ann  Armor,  a  worthy  member  of  this  church,  and  whose 
family  in  those  days  were  among  our  most  respectable  farmers,  in 
whose  mansion  so  many  friends  were  hospitably  entertained,  followed 
him  to  the  grave  with  the  deepest  expressions  of  grief  As  his  pa- 
tient, she  now  felt  her  own  ca^e  hopeless.  "  I  am  bowed  down  greatly, 
I  go  mourning  all  the  day."  She,  too,  was  soon  after  borne  to  this 
ancient  cemetery. 

Here,  too,  lies  a  French  soldier,  of  whose  interesting  adventures 
we  will  give  a  brief  sketch.  This  man  entered  the  army  with  Bona- 
parte, and  accompanied  him  in  his  campaign  in  Egypt,  through  all 
his  hardships,  privations,  and  dangers  ;  and,  as  a  war-worn  soldier, 
ended  life's  career  in  this  quiet  town. 

In  1812,  he  lived  near  us,  and  as  a  machinist  toiled  hard.  He  was 
employed  by  E.  J.  Dupont,  and  his  industrious  habits  and  cheerful 
disposition  attracted  notice,  especially  as  most  of  his  life  had  been 
spent  in  the  field  of  battle  or  in  a  camp.  He  rose  at  daydawn,  and 
sung  at  the  anvil,  while  his  wife  often  blew  the  bellows ;  none  seemed 
more  happy.  Their  only  child  was  an  interesting  little  girl  four  years 
old,  and  the  admiration  of  all  who  saw  her.  The  parents,  though 
coarse  in  appearance,  inherited  the  national  civility  and  pleasing 
manner. 

One  stormy  day  a  most  respectable  French  colored  woman,  Lorette 
Noels,  came  in  tears  to  ask  counsel  of  my  mother,  what  could  be  done 
for  this  lovely  little  one,  alarmingly  ill.  The  parents  were  in  deep 
distress.  The  mother  could  not  speak  English,  and  the  father  but 
imperfectly.  In  this  dilemma  it  was  concluded  my  services  would  be 
acceptable,  as  I  had  a  smattering  of  French.  On  entering  the  room 
I  perceived  her  disease  to  be  croup  in  the  highest  state. 

An  old  French  doctor  was  present,  giving  barley  water,  &c.,  and 
no  one  dare  to  interfere,  though  it  was  evident  such  powerless  remedies 
could  not  be  efficient.  I  remained  to  do  what  I  could,  and  was 
amazed  to  hear,  when  she  could  speak,  expressions  from  this  sensitive 
little  sufferer,  entreating  her  mother  not  to  cry,  for  soon  she  would  be 
in  paradise,  where  suffering  would  be  no  more.  This  parent's  grief 
was  excessive,  and  the  father's  violent,  who  could  not  restrain  his 
17 


130  Reminiscences  of  Wilminoton. 

feelings.  In  a  few  hours  tliis  lovely  little  one  fell  asleep  to  awake  in 
heaven. 

As  soon  as  the  mother  was  convinced  that  the  spirit  of  her  darling 
had  fled  to  a  calmer  rest,  she  laid  her  on  the  couch,  and  knelt  by  the 
side  in  perfect  composure,  offered  up  her  prayer,  in  thanks  to  her 
Heavenly  Father,  for  all  his  mercies  in  preserving  her  through  life  ; 
then  for  the  release  of  her  darling  child  from  suffering,  and  for  her 
removal  from  a  world  of  sin  and  sorrow  in  the  days  of  her  innocency, 
to  be  conveyed  to  Abraham's  bosom  ;  most  ardently  imploring  his 
grace  to  strengthen  her  resignation  to  his  will  under  the  sad  bereave- 
ment. 

Never  had  I  witnessed  such  apparent  Christian  submission  as  ex- 
hibited in  this  woman,  who,  like  David,  said,  "  While  the  child  was 
alive  I  fasted  and  wept ;  but  now  he  is  dead,  can  I  bring  him  back 
again?     I  shall  go  to  him,  but  he  will  not  return  to  me." 

The  father  was  absent  at  the  moment  of  dissolution  ;  when  he  en- 
tered and  saw  she  was  gone,  for  a  moment  he  was  powerless.  Tlien 
starting  back  flung  himself  on  the  couch,  choking  with  sobs,  in  a 
paroxysm  of  wild  grief;  seized  the  corpse,  ran  up  stairs  with  it  in  his 
arms.  Then  rushed  into  the  yard,  frantically  exclaiming,  "  Who  shall 
I  work  for  now  ?"  and  in  incoherent  sentences,  screamed,  "  My  beloved 
Mary  Anne,  will  you  leave  me?  leave  your  doting  father?  No  more 
cheer  me  with  your  sweet  voice !  To  lighten  my  labor  and  soothe  my 
cares !  I  cannot,  no,  I  cannot  live  without  my  sweet  baby." 

The  scene  was  thrilling  to  witness ;  a  rough  old  soldier  so  agonized 
with  grief,  as  David,  on  another  afflicting  event,  "  went  up  to  the 
chamber  over  the  gate  and  wept.  O !  my  son  Absalom,  would  to 
God  I  had  died  for  thee,  O  Absalom,  my  sou,  my  son  !" 

No  Catholic  cemetery  was  within  six  miles,  and  the  snow  was  un- 
usually deep.     J.  I was  aware  of  this,  and  I  proftered  to  secure  a 

spot  in  this  yard  near  the  part  appropriated  to  foreigners.  My  offer 
was  gratefully  received,  and  the  Rector  performed  the  service  for  the 
dead.  Through  the  kindness  of  neighbors,  all  was  done  decently  and 
in  order.  One  good  neighbor,  Cyrus  Newlin,  employed  two  men  to 
clear  a  path.  Their  gratitude,  to  me  was  unceasing.  The  mother, 
past  eighty,  now  living  alone,  assured  me  last  week,  that  from  the 
hour  of  her  child's  death  she  had  daily  offered  thanks  to  God  for  re- 
moving her  darling  from  a  world  of  temptation  and  sin. 

This  afflictive  dispensation  led  to  the  relation  of  their  romantic 
story,  as  follows]: 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  131 

J.  Isarabrie  was  a  soldier  in  the  army  of  Bonaparte,  from  his  rise 
and  progress,  in  all  his  victories  until  his  return  from  Egypt.  Then 
he  was  sent  to  St.  Domingo,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Brit- 
ish, and  brought  to  Canada.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  St.  Domingo, 
but  married  at  Paris,  where  she  lived  at  the  time  of  his  capture,  and 
heard  that  he  was  in  North  America.  She  despaired  of  meeting  him 
again,  and  came  with  a  family  to  reside  in  Philadelphia,  unacquainted 
with  the  English  language. 

After  six  months'  residence  there,  as  she  was  washing  the  front 
door  steps,  with  her  dress  pinned  up,  two  Frenchmen  passed,  who 
were  conversing  about  J.  Isambrie.  On  the  sound  of  his  name,  she 
dropped  her  bucket  and  brushes,  entreating  those  men  to  tell  her  of 
whom  they  spoke.  They  replied — "  He  was  a  blacksmith,  living  in 
Southwark,  and  had  been  a  soldier  in  Egypt  with  Bonaparte."  She 
told  her  story  in  few  words. 

They  were  on  their  way  to  see  him.  And  her  own  description  of 
the  scene  was,  "Den  de  mans  did  run  ;  and  vid  no  bonne,  no  put  do^vu 
dress,  Mam  Bassee,  I  did  fly  tru  de  stree,  and  all  de  peop  did  call  vot 
de  mat,  vot  ail  de  uman,  is  he  craze  ?  Den  me  cum  to  de  plas ;  an 
vid  de  own  eye,  see  me  mon  vurk !  O,  Mam  Bassee,  me  most  die ; 
for  why  !  me  feel  so  muth  de  joie  to  see  me  Josef  once  more,  me  own 
Josef"  "Then  Joseph  made  himself  known,  and  he  wept  aloud." 
Some  time  after  their  re-union  they  came  to  Wilmington. 

The  gentlemen  visited  his  shop,  and  listened  to  details  of  the  cam- 
paign in  Egypt,  endeavoring  to  elicit  his  views  of  stories  circulated 
respecting  the  cruelties  inflicted  by  order  of  Bonaparte.  He  was  in- 
telligent, but  positively  denied  the  whole,  though  he  denounced  war, 
and  said  he  had  aided  in  the  slaughter  of  thousands,  that  he  now 
shrunk  with  horror  from  the  reflection  of  such  scenes  of  carnage.  Yet 
such  was  his  iufjituation,  Bonaparte  was  an  idol,  and  he  could  not 
endure  to  hear  him  censured;  would  say,  "the  other  potentates  of 
Europe  were  worse,  Bonaparte  could  not  fight  alone  ;"  always  con- 
cluding his  remarks  by  saying,  "  Bonaparte  loved  his  soldiers,  and 
they  loved  him,  who  submitted  to  the  same  toils  and  privations." 

Joseph  Isambrie  was  a  great  sportsman.  Distinguished  French 
gentlemen  often  called  on  him  to  gun  ;  General  Moreau  and  Marshal 
Grouchy,  and  others.  On  an  unlucky  day,  his  gun  burst  and  shot  ofl' 
three  of  his  fingers.  Doctor  Didie  would  not  permit  his  hand  to  be 
amputated,  consequently  the  lock-jaw  ensued,  of  which  he  died.  Much 
feeling  was  expressed.     His  industrious  habits  and  correct  morals  had 


132  Reminisoences  of  Wilmington. 

won  the  good  will  of  his  neighbors,  and  this  was  more  strange,  as  he 
had  so  long  led  the  reckless  life  of  a  soldier.  Though  the  conclusion 
may  seem  strange,  it  is  no  less  true,  that  this  same  Doctor  Didie  was 
the  physician  who  attended  his  wife's  family  in  St.  Domingo,  and  the 
first  who  knew  her  who  nursed  him  in  his  last  illness  in  Wilmington, 
and  shrouded  him  for  the  grave. 

Another  grave,  without  a  stone  to  commemorate  the  spot,  attracts 
our  notice,  where  lies  the  mortal  part  of  an  interesting  young  lawyer 
of  great  promise,  Joshua  Gordon  Brinckle.  He  was  endowed  with 
high  intellectual  powers  and  correct  principles,  for  he  was  piously 
disposed ;  his  exterior  was  prepossessing  and  manly.  Being  engaged 
in  an  important  suit  at  New  Castle  Court,  where  he  spoke  some  hours 
with  a  sore  throat,  on  his  return  he  retired  to  his  chamber,  from  which, 
in  thirty-six  hours,  his  noble  spirit  Avinged  its  flight  to  the  other  world, 
leaving  the  inanimate  clay  to  mingle  with  the  dust,  and  like  a  dead 
leaf  in  autumn,  he  lies  buried  out  of  sight. 

But  we  trust  the  spirit  has  renewed  its  verdure  in  immortal  spring. 
"  As  for  man,  his  days  are  as  grass ;  as  the  flower  of  the  field,  so  he 
flourisheth,  for  the  wind  passeth  over  it  and  it  is  gone,  and  the  place 
thereof  shall  know  it  no  more." 

On  the  east  lie  the  remains  of  a  revolutionary  officer,  Major  D.  J. 
Adams.  He  married  in  this  town.  After  the  peace  he  was  brigadier- 
general  of  the  militia,  then  sheriff"  of  this  county,  and  was  engaged  in 
commerce,  when  death  summoned  him  to  his  abode  in  the  tomb.  A 
widow  with  eight  children  were  left  to  mourn  their  sad  bereavement. 


OHAPTEE    XI. 

Sketch  of  Miss  Vining — Ex-President  Jefferson— Gen.  Lafayette— Duke  de  Li- 
ancourt — Duke  d'Orleans— Gov.  Dickinson — Jolin  Vining,  Esq. — Mrs.  V. — 
Miss  V. — Visits  Pliiladelpbia — Wm.  Henry  Vining — Decease  of  tliree  bro- 
thers— Miss  V. — Closing  Scene — Jane  Mauthrell — Mrs.  Curtz — Alice  Hough. 

Fkom  the  following  brief  biography,  a  few  facts  may  be  gleaned 
of  a  distiugui.shed  individual,  who  flourished  amid  I'enowned  men  of 
an  eventful  day,  and  of  whom  it  may  be  said — "  A  woman  is  of  few 
days,  and  full  of  trouble,  cometh  forth  like  a  flower  and  is  cut  down, 
fleeth  as  a  shadow  and  continueth  not."  What  though  the  brightest 
hues  of  the  bow  of  promise  arch  her  morning  dawn,  and  the  meridian 
sun  in  glorious  splendor  crown  her  with  unrivaled  celebrity,  the  clouds 
of  adversity  and  disappointed  hopes  may  overcast  her  evening  with 
sorrow. 

In  tracing  this  fair  lady  through  the  vicissitudes  of  her  life,  first 
in  the  fashionable  circle  in  which  she  moved,  and  adorned  as  a  bril- 
liant star,  glittering  and  dazzling  the  centre,  encircled  by  nobles  of 
the  land ;  her  rare  beauty  and  graceful  form  commanded  admiration  ; 
intellectual  endowments,  a  mind  stored  with  historical  knowledge,  and 
sparkling  effusions  of  wit,  entertained  the  literati,  and  amused  the 
joyous.  Her  fluency  in  speaking  the  French  language  attracted  dis- 
tinguished men  of  every  nation,  giving  her  a  notoriety  in  foreign 
climes. 

On  the  authority  of  Ex-President  Jefferson,  when  he  was  intro- 
duced at  the  Court  of  France,  Queen  Marie  Antoinette  spoke  with 
enthusiastic  ardor  of  Miss  Vining,  and  her  desire  to  see  one  of  whom 
she  had  heard  such  flattering  encomiums.  Mr.  Jefferson  observed  his 
reply  did  not  tend  to  lessen  this  feeling,  as  he  felt  a  pride  on  hearing 
an  American  lady  so  extolled  at  one  of  the  most  polished  courts  in 
Europe.  Again,  her  name  was  mentioned  with  admiration  at  the 
English  Court,  in  the  reign  of  George  III.,  and  likewise  at  the  Court 
of  Germany. 

The  era  of  this  belle  commenced  in  the  revolution.  Her  associates 
were  the  officers  of  the  different  armies,  and  leading  characters  of 
those  momentous  times,  giving  her  a  celebrity  rarely  attained.  A 
17*  133 


134  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

correspondence  with  some  of  these  eminent  men  continued,  and  with 
General  Lafayette  until  her  death.  She  was  then  engaged  in  writing 
a  history  of  the  American  Revolution. 

With  all  her  mental  endowments,  there  was  a  peculiarity  of  habit, 
leaving  no  doubt  that  yielding  to  admiration  was  a  leading  foible. 
Caressed  and  admired  without,  and  adored  within  her  own  domicil, 
she  gained  an  ascendency  over  most  persons.  One  peculiarity  was  to 
conceal  part  of  a  beautiful  face.  If  you  ask  how  could  this  be  done, 
or  why,  it  is  not  easily  answered.  A  veil  thrown  over  her  face,  or  a 
•  fan,  &c. ;  in  later  years,  a  cap.  Another  peculiarity  was  never,  or 
rarely,  to  be  seen  in  the  street  except  in  riding.  Therefore,  we  sup- 
pose, her  motto  was,  "  Beauiy  rarely  seen  is  most  admired."  Another 
query  may  arise,  why  one  so  much  admired  was  never  married  ? 
Many  engagements  were  reported,  and  death  dissolved  the  first  and 
last,  in  youth  and  age. 

If  distinguished  foreigners  visited  the  vicinity  of  her  abode,  an 
introduction  to  Miss  Vining  was  solicited.  Among  her  guests  was  the 
Duke  de  Liancourt,  and  the  Duke  d'Orleans,  late  King  of  the 
French,  Louis  Phillippe,  and  the  remembrance  of  his  arrival  is  im- 
pressed on  memory.  The  notorious  General  Miranda  once  passed 
through  here  in  the  mail  at  night,  and  left  his  card  in  the  post-ofiice 
for  Miss  Vining. 

Distinguished  men  were  frequent  guests  of  Governor  Dickinson, 
and  when  invited  to  dine.  Miss  V.  was  often  the  only  lady  present  not 
of  his  family. 

Having  sketched  the  brilliant  career  of  her  early  days,  we  pause 
ere  we  enter  upon  another  era  of  her  eventful  life. 

A  brother  of  great  promise  was  elected  to  represent  this  State  in 
Congress,  at  as  early  an  age  as  the  U.  S.  Constitution  would  admit 
members.  In  by-gone  days  it  w'as  not  usual  to  advance  young  men 
to  such  high  honors.  His  intellectual  powers  acquired  him  fame,  and 
he  was  styled  the  pet  of  Delaware,  as  he  was  the  pride  of  his  house- 
hold. An  ample  fortune,  a  widowed  mother's  fondness,  and  a  sister's 
celebrity,  flattered  his  ambition.  Even  in  the  legislative  halls,  amidst 
great  men,  he  had  a  name  and  a  fair  prospect  of  promotion. 

Mr.  Vining  married  Miss  Seaton,  of  New  York.  It  was  said 
when  her  father  inquired  what  were  his  prospects,  his  reply  was,  "Sir, 
my  prospects  are  unbounded  T'  So  little  did  he  reflect  on  the  evanes- 
cent nature  of  earthly  greatness.  High  in  rank,  encircled  by  rich 
and  influential  friends,  he  trusted  in  his  own  powers  as  a  shield  and 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  135 

buckler.  His  brilliant  talents,  not  nourished  by  application,  withered 
in  the  bud.  Indolence  and  generosity  engendered  extravagance  that 
wasted  his  substance. 

His  interesting  and  lovely  wife,  in  deep  affliction,  as  gloom  over- 
shadowed her  once  cheerful  abode,  bemoaned  her  blighted  hopes,  and 
.as  a  child  of  sorrow  was  consigned  to  an  early  grave. 

Mrs.  Vining  ofttimes  wrote  poetry,  and  we  have  before  us  some 
verses  composed  by  her  on  the  birth  of  her  last  infant ;  wherein  she 
speaks  of  the  deep  affliction  of  losing  both  her  parents,  and  we. give 
an  extract  of  the  first  and  the  last  two  verses. 

Ah  !  tender  infant  of  my  hopes  and  fears, 
With  trembling  joy  1  fold  thee  in  my  arms; 

Thou  com'st  in  happy  time  to  check  my  tears, 
And  sooth  my  sorrows  with  thy  opening  charms. 


Sure,  lovely  little  infant,  but  for  thee, 

I  soon  had  sunk  beneath  this  weight  of  grief  ; 

For  thee  I  strove  to  bear  the  sad  decree, 
And  forced  my  tortured  soul  to  seek  relief. 

May  wisdom,  virtue,  prudence  gild  thy  days, 
]\Iake  heaven  thy  stay,  the  only  and  the  first ; 

Live  happy,  when  thy  mother  and  her  lays 
Ai'e  buried  in  obscurity  and  dust. 

Hon.  John  Vining  had  fallen,  then  drooped  and  died  in  the  flower 
of  his  age.  "  How  are  the  mighty  fallen."  "  Tell  it  not  in  Gath." 
His  mourning  sister  was  now  guardian  to  four  small  orphan  boys,  her 
income  reduced  to  a  scanty  pittance  by  his  mismanagement.  "  I  am 
distressed  for  thee,  m}^  brother!     Very  pleasant  hast  thou  been  to  me." 

Those  adverse  circumstances  forced  this  gifted  lady  to  live  in  se- 
clusion in  her  retreat  at  the  Willows  (a  small  house  adjoining  W. 
Rogers,  Esq.,)  and  was  but  once  tempted  to  stray  from  her  solitude. 
An  intense  interest  for  those  beloved  nephews,  on  the  dawn  of  the 
second  to  manhood,  induced  her  to  visit  Philadelphia  to  intercede  in 
person  for  his  welfax-e. 

Then,  as  a  twinkling  star  bursting  through  a  dark  cloud  for  a 
moment,  soon  retired  again  to  obscurity.  But  neither  the  seclusion  for 
a  lapse  of  years,  nor  the  twilight  of  her  day,  withered  her  powers  of 
attra(!tion.  A  multitu<le,  among  whom  were  eminent  men,  crowded 
around  this  faded  belle,  who  was  evidently  the  central  star,  even  amid 
youthful  beauty,  but  a  few  years  before  her  closing  scene ! 


136  RimiNmcENaEH  of  Wilmington. 

Our  notice  of  lier  has  been  limited  by  personal  appearance  and 
and  worldly  estimation.  No  allusion  has  been  made  to  the  refined 
feelings  of  the  heart.  Nursed  in  the  lap  of  indulgence,  educated  in 
luxury,  flattered  by  the  great,  sustained  by  beauty,  talents,  and  wit, 
it  would  be  singular  if  she  had  been  free  from  vanity  and  ambition. 
But  in  life's  checkered  way,  her  character  was  displayed  anew. 

In  declining  years,  in  comparative  poverty,  and  loss  of  friends,  an 
infant  family  was  thrown  upon  her  care  to  be  fostered  by  her  scanty 
means,  which  demanded  great  self-denial  and  sacrifice  of  personal 
enjoyment.  In  this  new  sphere  we  see  her  rise  above  every  selfish 
feeling  ;  her  heart,  talents,  and  resources  were  devoted  to  the  orphans. 
No  mother  could  have  done  more  to  guard  them  in  infancy,  and  guide 
them  in  youth. 

Beholding  her  adopted  sons  rising  to  men  of  promise,  and  realizing 
her  fondest  hopes,  it  seemed  the  veil  of  gloom  that  so  long  had  over- 
hung her  dwelling  was  now  dispersed,  and  the  setting  sun  was  gilding 
her  evening  hours  with  peace  and  hope.  Three  of  those  youths  were 
no  longer  dependent  on  their  kind  aunt. 

One,  of  superior  talents,  the  pride  of  her  heart,  with  a  manly  form 
and  an  intellectual  face,  was  patronized  by  his  uncle,  Mr.  Ogden,  of 
New  York,  and  was  reading  law.  This  was  a  most  painful  separation  ; 
but  the  unyielding  doom  of  stern  necessity  demanded  the  sacrifice  for 
his  future  prosperity.  On  the  morning  of  his  departure  from  home, 
excited  feeling  forbade  his  bidding  adieu  ;  as  a  gifted  poet,  he  left  a 
farev/cll  address  "  to  my  beloved  aunt  at  the  Willows,"  "  the  guardian  of 
r.iy  infant  days  and  friend  of  my  youth."  It  was  well  written  and 
highly  prized.  Henry  Vining,  like  the  night-blooming  cereus,  that 
opens  for  a  few  hours,  sheds  its  fragrance  and  dies,  was  prepared  to 
practice  law  with  the  brightest  prospects,  when  he  was  attacked  by 
that  withering  disease  consumption,  and  only  survived  his  aunt  a  few 
months.  Thus  was  she  spared  the  anguish  by  her  previous  passage  to 
the  grave*  He  was  the  second  son.  On  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies 
in  pursuit  of  health,  he  wrote  a  few  verses,  which  were  found  in  his 
pocket  after  death — "  Lines  by  William  Henry  Vining,  of  Wilming- 
ton, written  at  sea."     We  have  taken  an  extract  of  two  verses  : — 

"  Yet  not  fi-om  thirst  of  fame  or  wealth, 

I  left  the  lovely  haunts  of  home  ; 
For  thee,  for  thee,  inconstant  health, 

O'er  ocean's  dreary  waste  I  roam. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  137 

"  With  intellectual  thoughts  that  shake 

My  struggling  spirit's  steadfast  aim, 
With  aU  the  ills  tha'  bend,  that  break 

This  trembling  heart,  this  feverish  frame." 

The  two  elder  were  providing  for  themselves,  and  looked  forward 
to  the  future  with  confidence  and  hope  ;  fully  appreciating  their  hon- 
ored aunt's  solicitude  in  their  infancy,  promised  consolation  and  sup- 
port in  her  declining  years.  But,  alas  !  these  cherished  buds  of  hope, 
ere  they  bloomed,  withered  at  her  feet.  The  eldest,  in  the  navy,  came 
home  indisposed,  soon  sickened ;  "  behold  at  eventide  trouble,  and 
before  morning  he  is  not." 

The  youngest,  on  the  eve  of  his  departure  to  make  his  way  through 
life,  was  hastened  to  his  youthful  grave.  The  second  son  died  young 
amid  strangers.  Again  the  mantle  of  sorrow  w'as  thrown  over  this 
desolate  home  ;  with  weeping  and  mourning,  "  for  the  hay  is  ^vithered, 
the  grass  faileth,  there  is  no  green  thing  left  at  the  Willows." 

As  Miss  Vining's  evening  shadow  lengthened  and  earthly  hopes 
faded,  she  viewed  the  past  as  "  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit,"  and 
sought  happiness  in  religion's  ways,  the  only  path  to  peace.  This 
lofty  spirit,  which  had  never  bowed,  was  made  -willing  in  meekness 
and  deep  humility  to  bow  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  Christmas  day 
was  determined  for  her  union  with  the  church.  A  stormy  morning 
and  heavy  rain  were  a  barrier  to  its  fulfillment.  "With  intense  anx- 
iety this  failure  was  lamented  to  the  Rev.  R.  D.  Hall.  On  Easter 
Sunday  she  determined  to  surmount  every  obstacle  she  could  in  the 
path  of  duty. 

As  the  morning  of  Good  Friday  dawned,  her  soul  winged  its  flight 
to  mansions  in  the  skies,  and  on  Easter  Sunday  afternoon,  the  rector 
from  whom  she  had  anticipated  to  receive  the  bread  and  wine  as  spir- 
itual food  to  nourish  the  soul,  saw  the  perishing  body  deposited  in  the 
earth,  and  performed  the  solemn  service  "  dust  to  dust."  Her  funeral 
was  imposing ;  six  ladies,  with  about  three  yards  of  white  linen  drawn 
over  the  bonnet  tied  under  the  chin,  hung  loose.  Not  a  stone  marks 
the  spot  of  this  once  celebrated  belle.  "  Thy  nobles  dwell  in  the 
dust."     "  They  flee  away,  and  the  place  is  not  known  where  they  are." 

In  1821,  about  sixty-three  years  of  age,  death  closed  the  scene; 
not  a  gray  hair  mingled  with  the  soft  glossy  brown,  nor  a  wrinkle  on 
the  brow  marred  the  beauty  of  an  incomparable  forehead.  Few 
females  are  less  personally  known  at  home,  and  none  more  celebrated 
abroad  than  was  Miss  Vining.  Even  amid  neighbors  who  were  most 
18 


138  Reminisgences  of  Wilmington. 

desirous  to  see  her,  many  were  never  favored  with  a  passing  glance. 
But  a  few  fleeting  years  have  rolled  over  us,  and  one  the  theme  of 
admiration  is  forgotten.  Some  may  ask  who  was  Miss  Vining?  Or 
did  you  ever  see  her?  While  many  others  never  heard  of  this  belle. 
The  following  lines,  which  for  some  time  remained  in  her  chamber, 
are  consistent  with  the  kindness  of  her  heart,  and  her  symjjathy  for 
the  members  of  her  own  family  as  well  as  of  her  feeling  for  her 
friends  in  affliction. 

"By  angels  caught,  all  hallowed  as  they  flow, 
Are  tears  we  shed  for  sorrows  not  our  own ; 

The  bosom  beating  for  another's  woe 

Wafts  its  own  incense  to  the  heavenly  throne." 

A  small  tribute  is  likewise  due  to  a  worthy  woman  of  her  house- 
hold, Jane  Mauthrell,  who,  with  warm  Irish  affection,  managed  her 
domestic  concerns.  She  had  been  brought  up  by  Mrs.  Vining,  and  was 
instructed  as  a  good  housekeeper,  and  waited  on  this  lady  in  the  noon 
of  life,  midst  gayety  and  pleasure.  In  the  evening  of  adversity,  she 
was  a  companion  and  friend.  By  her  economy  and  attention.  Miss  V. 
was  aided  in  providing  for  the  orphans,  over  whose  tender  years  J. 
M.  watched  with  a  mother's  fondness,  and  guided  their  childhood  in 
virtue's  ways ;  in  sickness  she  was  their  nurse,  and  in  death  closed  the 
eyes  of  three — one  died  among  strangers — and  none  more  deeply 
mourned  their  fate. 

In  searching  the  memory  for  reminiscences  connected  with  this 
ancient  church,  we  turn  over  things  new  and  old.  Legends  and  every 
musty  relic  of  its  early  days  are  so  graciously  received,  that  we  sketch 
a  few  of  recent  date,  to  which  succeeding  years  may  add  a  deeper 
interest.  As  small  causes  often  effect  great  consequences — from  an 
acorn  springs  the  majestic  oak — so  the  following  sketch  of  a  tiny  slip 
from  a  withered  branch,  planted  in  a  cold  soil  and  struggling  for  years, 
has  put  forth  a  hopeful  bud,  which  if  nourished  with  care  may  yet 
blossom  as  the  rose,  and  shed  a  sweet  fragrance  over  this  part  of  the 
Lord's  vineyard.  If  watered  freely  by  streams  of  liberality,  a  noble 
institution  may  arise ;  flourishing  like  the  green  bay -tree  and  shadow- 
ing forth  rich  verdure,  as  a  goodly  heritage,  where  the  aged  and  infirm 
may  cease  from  labor  and  be  at  rest. 

When  time  has  fleeted  away,  some  one  may  inquire  how  it  origi- 
nated. Then  the  King  of  Terrors  may  have  chilled  each  warm  heart, 
deadened  every  active  hand,  and  silenced  the  only  voice  that  can 
recount  the  Story. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  139 

Yon  headstone  near  the  gate  commemorates  a  lonely  widow.  How 
affecting  to  look  upon  one  friendless  and  bowed  down  by  age,  her 
lowly  cabin  darkened  by  the  cloud  of  adversity,  no  longer  able  to  toil 
for  her  scanty  meal,  a  dependent  on  the  cold  hand  of  charity !  Such 
was  the  condition  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Curtz. 

"  Turn  not  away,  ye  happier,  from  her  door, 
Nor  shun  the  widow  helpless  now  and  poor," 

for  "blessed  is  the  man  that  provideth  for  the  sick  and  needy;  the 
Lord  shall  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble." 

Three  neighbors,  compassionating  her  condition,  provided  her 
with  sustenance ;  aided  by  her  pastor.  Rev.  R.  D.  Hall,  to  systemize, 
their  charity  served  on  alternate  days.  As  the  years  glided  by,  Mrs. 
C.  E,  united  with  them.  This  widow  had  passed  four-score,  and  living 
alone  caused  much  anxiety  to  her  benefactresses,  as  the  shades  of 
autumn  were  closing,  to  make  arrangements  for  the  inclement  winter. 

At  this  time  an  event  awakened  their  sympathy  for  another  desti- 
tute female.  Death  had  borne  away  the  elder  of  two  aged  spinsters, 
who  had  passed  a  long  life  together  in  harmony.  Hester  and  Alice 
Hough  were  celebrated  spinners  of  every  variety  of  stocking  yarn. 
In  olden  times,  stockings  were  manufactured  at  home,  and  every 
female  taught  to  knit,  however  it  may  seem  incredible.  A  daughter 
of  Rev.  J.  Clarkson  knit  her  own  stockings  from  four  years  of  age.  So 
these  women  were  important  persons,  and  well  known  to  the  commu- 
nity. 

As  their  cottage  and  implements  of  labor  would  be  a  curiosity 
now,  a  sketch  would  not  be  amiss.  Wintry  storms  and  frosts  were 
excluded  by  a  fixture  at  the  front  door,  like  a  box.  The  interior,  by 
its  simple  furniture,  indicated  poverty,  and  when  the  labors  had 
ceased,  two  large  and  two  small  spinning-wheels  were  set  aside.  A 
reel,  fine  and  coarse  cards,  and  a  hackle  occupied  half  of  the  room. 

In  looking  around  this  humble  apartment  where  the  absence  of 
comfort  and  apparent  means  of  happiness  were  disjilayed,  you  were 
agreeably  surprised  at  the  cleanly  appearance  of  the  rustic  inmates, 
and  their  countenances  beaming  with  cheerfulness  and  content.  A 
holiday  dress  was  a  light  blue  calimcnco  skirt,  shining  like  satin, 
without  spot  or  wrinkle,  and  a  clean  calico  short  gown,  white  apron, 
and  thin  handkerchief  neatly  pinned,  with  a  long-eared  and  high- 
crowned  cap  and  roller.  So  ancient  looking  were  they  you  might  sup- 
posa  they  had  dressed  in  Noah's  Ark. 


140  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

On  the  mantel,  au  hour-glass,  with  its  wooden  frame  and  portion 
of  sand,  kept  true  time.  A  library,  consisting  of  two  volumes  of 
almanacs  preserved  from  time  immemorial,  yearly  adding  a  new 
number,  were  hung  on  either  side  of  the  fire-place,  and  became  tho- 
roughly smoked.  These  scientific  reminiscences  were  studied  with 
care ;  and  it  would  surprise  you  to  hear  them  tell  to  a  minute,  exactly, 
when  the  sun  rose  and  set,  the  length  of  the  day,  changes  of  the 
moon,  its  influence  on  the  mind  and  on  vegetables ;  ■  when  to  sow  seed 
and  plant  roots,  cure  meat  and  make  soap  ;  point  you  to  the  morning 
and  the  evening  star,  and  tell  when  it  was  flood  or  ebb  tide, 

"Till  your  wonder  grew 

That  two  small  heads  could  cany  all  they  knew." 

Yet  their  knowledge  pursued  a  higher  theme.  On  the  top  of  a 
rude  press  lay  a  large  Bible,  and  on  Sunday  it  was  perused  with  dil- 
igence, and  few  were  more  familiar  with  the  lives  of  the  patriarchs, 
the  bondage  and  wandering  of  the  Hebrews,  travels  and  doings  of 
the  apostles.  But  soaring  higher  they  studied  it  as  a  spiritual  guide  to 
instruct  them  in  the  precepts  of  the  golden  rule  of  "  doing  to  others 
as  we  would  have  others  do  to  us,"  and  this  precept  was  obeyed,  and 
it  was  a  lamp  to  enlighten  their  pathway  to  the  grave. 

Hetty,  being  robust  and  active,  did  the  errands ;  while  poor  Alice 
was  a  stranger  to  the  world  in  which  she  had  passed  four-score  years, 
and  rarely  ventured  beyond  the  precincts  of  her  habitation,  or  gazed 
on  other  objects  than  her  walls  embraced.  Her  condition  aroused 
sympathy,  and  the  almshouse  seemed  to  offer  her  the  only  asylum. 

On  Sunday  morning,  Hetty  was  interred  at  the  old  Swedes  ceme- 
tery. On  the  close  of  the  afternoon  school,  two  of  the  teachers  resolved 
to  procure  Alice  a  home.  Mrs.  R.,  ever  prompt  to  engage  in  a  good 
work,  proposed  to  prevail  on  Mrs.  Curtz  to  receive  Alice  as  an  inmate. 
And  if  E.  M.  could  make  an  arrangement  with  Alice,  and  secure 
wood,  little  advance  of  means  would  be  needed.  The  Lord's  day  was 
no  hinderance  to  this  work  of  mercy.  Their  negotiations  succeeded 
with  both  parties. 

Alice  was  overpowered  with  gratitude  for  the  unexpected  favor. 
In  meekness  she  requested  that  Miss  Jane  Wilson,  their  friend,  be 
consulted,  who  rejoiced  at  the  plan,  promising  to  remove  her  next 
morning,  and  send  a  cord  of  best  wood.  Edward  Gilpin,  a  charitable 
friend,  called  on  E.  M.  to  say  he  would  aid  in  their  support,  and  he 
also  sent  a  cord.  And  on  Monday  evening  they  were  comfortably 
settled. 


Reminibcences  of  Wilmington.  141 

Mrs.  Curtz's  temper  was  austere,  and  she  was  a  church-going 
woman.  Poor  Alice  was  delicate  and  timid.  All  her  long  life  she 
had  never  ventured  out  at  night,  and  rarely  by  day,  shrinking  with 
horror  from  darkness  or  street  rambles.  But  our  old  heroine,  past 
eighty,  with  her  staff  and  lantern,  was  used  to  attend  night  lectures, 
and  urged  Alice  to  go ;  that  having  neglected  her  duty  thus  far  was 
the  stronger  reason  for  being  zealously  engaged  now.  To  talk  of 
taking  cold  was  nonsense ;  neither  was  there  danger,  if  she  leaned  on 
her  arm  for  support.  So  the  timid  one  became  a  regular  attendant 
on  night  lectures  at  eighty-four,  a  wonder  to  all  who  knew  her  former 
habits.     They  passed  a  happier  winter  than  was  anticipated. 

Several  ladies  of  the  Friends  Society  sent  them  supplies ;  they 
really  lived  on  the  fat  of  the  land.  Mrs.  Morton  and  Mrs.  Adams 
were  kind  friends.  They  had  been  affectionately  advised  to  bear  and 
forbear  with  each  other's  infirmities,  and  as  time  elapsed,  it  was  hoped 
it  would  be  a  permanent  home.  But  as  sj^ring  renewed  its  verdure, 
our  old  hostess  revived  in  vigor.  "  Alice's  wheel  was  a  torment,"  she 
said,  "  it  was  whizzing  in  her  ears  from  morning  till  night."  It  was 
as  dear  to  Alice  as  the  apple  of  her  eye.     She  could  not  live  without  it. 

However,  all  difficulty  might  have  been  overcome  had  not  an  in- 
terested woman,  who  wanted  Alice's  services  for  a  season,  interfered ; 
and  when  weary  of  old  age  sent  her  to  the  poor-house,  without  con- 
sulting any  one,  there  to  end  her  days  with  the  unknown  dead.  The 
Hough  family  were  reputable  spinners  of  stocking  yarn  for  more  than 

a  century. 

"  Let  not  ambition  mock  their  useful  toil. 
Their  homely  joys  and  destiny  obscure, 
Nor  grandeur  hear  with  a  disdainful  smile 
The  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor." 
Mrs.  Curtz,  once  more  dependent  on  her  former  friends,  and  alone, 
regretted  her  conduct  to  Alice,  and  solicited  Mr.  Hall  to  take  her  old 
fabric  and  support  her.     As  this  did  not  meet  his  views,  though  he 
knew  she  must  be  cared  for,  and  felt  it  right  to  secure  it  for  charity, 
he  consulted  E.  M.,  who  made  a  proposal  to  a  few  ladies  of  the  church; 
and  on  due  consideration  they  agreed  to  provide  for  her,  she  signing 
an  article  that  they  should  claim  the  house  on  her  decease  for  a  char- 
itable institution.     The  deed  was  conveyed  in  trust  to  the  Vestry  of 
Trinity  Church,  February  16th,  1821,  and  their  duty  faithfully  per- 
formed.    In  November,  1823,  she  died  in  an  epileptic  fit,  and  was  fol- 
lowed to  the  grave  by  those  who  had  supported  her,  and  by  whom  this 
stone  was  erected. 
18* 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Banks  of  the  Christiana — Melancholy  Catastrophe — Irish  Trade — King's  Ships — 
Primitive  Customs — Packets — Capt.  J.  Foudray — Capt.  Samuel  Bush — Mode 
of  Traveling — Steamboat — Wharves — Jonathan  Rumford,  Esq. — Eleazar 
McComb,  Esq. — James  Brian — Ship  Building — Thomas  Willing — Barney 
Harris — William  Woodcock. 

Many  incidents  in  the  lives  of  those  who  slumber  here  are  faintly 
impressed  on  memory,  and  are  to  be  easier  imagined  than  described. 
Time  and  reflection  may  aid  us  to  develop  a  few  touching  facts.  So 
we  leave  the  hallowed  spot,  anticipating  a  renewal  of  our  visit  to  gather 
the  gleanings,  and  pass  on  to  the  banks  of  the  Christiana,  to  converse 
of  seasons  long  past. 

When  this  was  a  beautiful  walk,  in  neat  order,  partly  shaded  by 
trees  and  large  bushes,  flags,  lilies,  &c.,  ornamented  the  borders,  and 
reeds  and  rushes  edged  the  fanciful  stream,  enlivened  by  the  numerous 
winged  and  finny  tribes.  Even  the  little  migratory  reed  birds,  so  long 
the  prey  of  sportsmen,  have  become  nearly  extinct ;  the  fishes,  forced 
by  the  power  of  steam,  have  sought  a  more  quiet  channel. 

Gunning  on  these  banks  once  aflfbrded  great  amusement ;  also  fish- 
ing at  the  Rocks.  We  are  now  opposite  the  spot  which  presents  to 
memory  a  melancholy  catastrophe,  and,  though  of  more  recent  date, 
we  will  relate  it  as  a  warning  to  heedless  youth. 

Two  lads,  who  were  playmates  in  infancy  and  passed  the  days  of 
boyhood  together,  when  childish  plays  and  adventures  were  giving 
place  to  other  views,  they  were  sometimes  perplexed  at  separation  in 
their  sports.  One  was  fond  of  gunning,  and  skilled  in  the  art ;  the 
other  was  the  only  child  of  a  timid  widow,  and  was  prohibited  from 
joining  in  this  exercise  till  the  father  of  his  companion  induced  his 
mother  to  yield  to  his  entreaties.  Then  fully  equipped  and  joyous, 
they  crossed  the  bridge,  anticipating  many  such  excursive  pleasures 
on  yon  bank,  which  was  swarming  with  game. 

Here  they  made  a  stand,  and  proposed  to  shoot.  The  novice, 
under  the  guidance  of  his  tutor,  was  to  fire  at  the  word  of  command, 
while  his  companion  stooped  to  watch  the  birds.  "  Fire !"  was  the 
order,  and,  alas !  promptly  obeyed,  and,  shocking  to  relate,  stilled  that 

142 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  143 

~ voice  in  death!     In  a  sport  so  anxiously  desired,  his  first  essay  did 
such  terrific  execution  as  to  sever  the  head  of  a  beloved  friend. 

His  wild  agonizing  screams  brought  assistance,  but  surgical  skill 
was  of  no  avail  to  his  dear  mangled  companion.  How  swiftly  did 
death  steal  upon  his  youthful  victim !  "What  an  awe  was  flung  around 
this  resemblance  of  breathing  life,  that  in  a  moment  annihilated  all 
joy  from  the  heart  and  left  the  canker-worm  of  despair ! 

The  maternal  grief  of  the  widow  was  deep  and  poignant ;  but  the 
still  small  voice  of  religion  soothed  the  hours  of  affliction.  The  scene 
of  distress  in  the  family  of  the  slaughtered  youth,  and  the  anguish  of 
a  fond  mother,  we  leave  for  imagination  to  conceive. 

A  timid  parent's  fears  were  fatally  realized,  and  her  cautious  ad- 
monition deeply  impressed  on  her  distracted  son.  How  unavailing 
when  the  dread  deed  was  done !  The  unfortunate  survivor,  too,  died 
young.  "  Behold,  there  was  a  young  man  carried  out,  the  only  son 
of  his  mother,  and  she  was  a  widow. 

The  dwelling  of  Mrs.  Mary  Bingham,  the  afflicted  mother  of  one 
of  the  lads,  has  gone.  Her  obliging  manners,  patient  kindness,  and 
just  dealing,  secured  her  the  best  customers  in  the  dry-goods  business. 
By  these  she  will  be  long  remembered,  and  although  death  rushed  in 
suddenly  to  call  her  hence,  her  house  was  in  order,  and  with  faith  she 
did  exclaim — "  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit." 

The  other  was  the  son  of  a  very  respectable  man,  John  Sellars, 
whose  ancestors  were  here  in  olden  days. 

Scenes  of  by-gone  days  are  now  presented  to  our  memory,  when 
ships  and  brigs,  in  the  Irish  trade,  arrived  in  midsummer,  crowded 
with  passengers,  and  were  towed  up  the  creek  with  small  boats  ahead  ; 
and  ropes  were  thrown  to  the  multitude  assembled  on  these  banks, 
who  would  pull  with  all  their  strength  to  get  them  to  the  wharf. 

No  steam-power  then  lightened  labor.  Things  were  done  more  by 
scriptural  rule  :  "  By  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread."  It 
was  amusing  to  see  the  people  land  in  the  hot  sun,  without  bonnets, 
and  often  wrapped  in  a  red  or  blue  cloth  cloak.  All  well  dressed, 
and,  in  a  few  days,  went  off  to  the  west  with  means  to  provide  a  home. 
The  lowest  order  were  called  redemptioners,  and  sold  for  three  years 
to  defray  their  passage.  Many  of  those  became  respectable  members 
of  the  community,  and  were  never  thrown  upon  its  charity.  Their 
training  taught  them  the  usages  of  the  country,  and  they  imbibed  a 
spirit  of  independence  to  live  by  honest  industry.  We  never  heard 
of  their  going  to  the  almshouse. 


144  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Good  health  and  cheerful  faces  were  pretty  general.  In  a  few 
instances,  long  passages  and  short  allowance  engendered  disease. 
Small-pox  was  most  common.  There  were  occasionally  ship-fevers. 
An  alarming  sickness,  termed  the  Welsh  fever,  brought  by  passen- 
gers from  Wales,  in  the  ship  Liberty,  prevailed  to  some  extent,  con- 
tinued long,  and  was  communicated  to  the  inhabitants.  Tents  were 
pitched  in  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and  barns  were  used  for  hospitals. 

In  those  days,  there  was  an  odd  custom  in  practice,  called  chairing 
the  captain,  if  his  treatment  on  the  voyage  had  gained  their  good  feel- 
ings, and  the  captain  would  submit  to  the  lofty  honor.  Two  long 
poles  were  fastened  under  an  arm-chair,  where  he  was  seated ;  four 
stout  men  each  took  an  end  of  the  pole  on  his  shoulder,  bearing  the 
chair,  paraded  the  street,  men,  women,  and  children  following  in  a 
long  procession,  cheering  and  shouting,  "  Hurrah,  hurrah  for  captain 
B."  Captain  Thomas  Fort  once  made  a  very  short  passage,  wanting 
a  few  days  of  six  weeks.  As  he  had  told  the  passengers  that  was  the 
shortest  time  possible,  one  family  positively  refused  to  go  on  shore 
till  the  time  expired. 

In  olden  times,  the  wharves  were  places  of  business,  and  commerce 
flourished.  Many  instances  of  their  former  glory  are  recalled,  when 
the  king's  ships  sought  a  safe  harbor  for  winter  quarters  in  the  Chris- 
tiana. A  sloop  of  war,  commanded  by  Captain  Hawker,  who  was  a 
very  accomplished  gentleman,  passed  more  than  one  winter  here. 
This  officer  was  very  popular ;  and  with  those  under  his  command 
frequently  visited  the  villagers,  and  must  have  been  amused  at  their 
rustic  simplicity. 

To  give  an  idea  of  these  primitive  times,  an  anecdote  of  my 
grandfather  may  suffice ;  he  was  a  widower,  with  two  daughters  and  a 
step-son.  He  owned  a  store-house  on  the  lower  wharf,  and  rented  it 
for  the  use  of  those  ships.  The  officers  were  in  the  habit  of  visiting 
him,  and  sometimes  came  to  spend  an  evening. 

A  clock  stood  in  the  corner  ;  as  it  ticked  to  strike,  grandfather 
laid  the  fire  in  order.  Then  the  girls  felt  their  faces  glow,  and  were 
so  confused  when  he  said,  "  Gentlemen,  my  hour  for  family  prayer  is 
nine  o'clock  ;  it  will  be  quite  agreeable  to  me  if  you  will  remain,  but 
after  service  we  retire." 

The  hint  was  sufficient ;  they  withdrew  with  a  bow.  Then  the 
youngsters  would  declaim  against  such  rustic  habits,  and  say,  "Father, 
these  officers  must  think  you  are  very  rude."  But  father  coolly  re- 
plied, "  My  children,  God  divided  the  times  and  seasons  ;  the  light  of 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  145 

day  to  labor  and  visit,  the  darkness  of  night  for  rest ;  so  I  shall 
observe  them,  and  not  permit  man's  notions  to  obtrude  and  alter  the 
law  of  nature." 

An  aged  gentleman  said  "  he  recollected,  when  he  was  young, 
being  near  the  lower  wharf,  and  seeing  a  vessel  of  two  masts  anchored 
in  the  Christiana  creek,  with  the  deck  full  of  negro  slaves  from 
Africa." 

They  were  sent  among  us  by  their  British  owners  from  the  Wast 
Indies,  probably  about  the  year  1760.  In  1761,  a  gang  or  drove  of 
slaves,  numbering  twenty  or  thirty,  was  passing  my  father's  door, 
driven  by  their  owners  for  sale  ;  as  Friends  at  that  period  held  slaves, 
my  mother  purchased  a  boy  of  nine  years  of  age,  who  remained  long 
in  the  family  ;  finally  he  was  manumitted. 

More  than  a  century  ago  this  was  Harvey's  wharf;  about  sixty 
years  since  Capt.  T.  Mendenhall  became  the  ow'ner,  and  entered  into 
the  flour  trade,  and  kept  packets  to  convey  it  to  Philadelphia.  The 
first  bell  to  notify  their  departure  was  hung  on  his  store  house.  Nu- 
merous teams  from  Lancaster  brought  the  flour,  and  often  thirty  of 
these  remained  over  night  in  his  wagon-yard,  just  above  Front  street, 
reaching  from  Walnut  to  French  street,  where  there  was  a  house  to 
accommodate  teamsters  and  sheds  for  horses. 

The  next  wharf  was  John  Foudray's,  who  long  sailed  a  packet  to 
Philadelphia.  His  dwelling  is  a  relic  of  that  day,  corner  of  French 
and  Water  streets.  The  latter  street  only  extended  thus  far.  The 
entrance  was  a  porch  with  three  steps,  yet  in  high  tides,  the  family 
had  to  enter  the  house  and  leave  it  in  boats. 

Captain  Samuel  Bush  purchased  this  wharf,  and  it  is  now  owned 
by  his  son,  who  improved  the  old  fabric  and  added  a  new  one.  Cap- 
tain Bush  sailed  a  packet  to  Philadelphia  previously  to  the  Revolu- 
tion. In  carrying  forage  for  the  army  about  the  time  of  the  battle  of 
the  Brandywine,  his  sloop  was  in  the  Delaware  ;  and  to  escape  the 
enemy  who  was  pursuing  it,  he  scuttled  and  sunk  her,  but  afterwards 
was  enabled  to  raise  her. 

It  may  be  appropriate  here  to  notice  the  mode  of  traveling  in  the 
days  of  our  fathers.  From  this  wharf  many  have  entered  the  packet, 
carrying  their  little  basket  of  provision,  providing  for  day  and  night, 
which  was  often  spent  on  board.  The  passage  was  a  half-dollar. 
These  primitive  people  adhered  to  the  course  of  nature,  dropped 
anchor  to  wait  for  flood  or  ebb  ;  and  never  attempted  to  sail  against 
wind  or  tide.  When  meals  were  provided  on  board,  it  was  a  great 
19 


146  Reminisoences  of  Wilmington. 

accommodation.  Many  inconveniences  occurred  in  winter  from  bad 
roads. 

When  the  dawn  of  a  new  century  had  burst  upon  us,  numerous 
persons  were  waiting  in  Philadelphia  to  return.  The  packets  were  laid 
up,  and  stages  breaking  down  from  bad  roads,  made  traveling  danger- 
ous. Among  those  detained  were  Ctcsar  A.  Rodney,  Esq..  his  wife 
and  two  daughters.  Mr.  R.  knew  Captain  Milner  was  venturesome ; 
the  weather  was  mild,  and  the  ice  floating.  He  wrote  to  solicit  him  to 
bring  his  packet. 

Milner  came,  and  his  pa«ket  left  Philadelphia  at  one  o'clock, 
crowded  with  passengers.  The  captain  promised  to  lay  at  Marcus 
Hook  from  dark  to  daylight.  The  moment  before  sailing,  Mr.  Rod- 
ney hired  a  barge  with  men  to  row  his  family  down  to  this  place,  on 
the  17th  day  of  January.  In  an  open  boat,  they  left  Chestnut  street 
wharf  at  one  o'clock,  landed  safe  at  the  old  ferry,  and  the  boat  re- 
turned to  Marcus  Hook  that  night  at  eight  o'clock,  just  as  the  pa.ssen- 
gers  were  stepping  on  shore  to  await  the  return  of  day.  This  was 
spoken  of  as  a  novelty. 

Captain  Milner  was  famous  for  carrying  sail,  and  sometimes  per- 
formed exploits.  In  1802,  near  the  old  ferry,  with  all  his  canvas  fly- 
ing under  a  stiff  breeze,  and  crowded  with  passengers  in  a  state  of 
great  excitement,  some  in  full  glee,  others  imploring  him  not  to  drown 
them.  Capt.  Hunn  was  on  board,  and  saw  the  danger,  pulled  off  his 
coat,  saying,  "  Milner  do  you  mean  to  drown  us?"  At  the  moment  the 
shallop  upset,  many  boats  went  to  rescue  them  from  a  watery  grave. 
Even  in  sober  times,  with  far  less  traveling,  there  were  disasters. 

The  land  conveyance  was  a  four-horse  stage,  which  left  here  at  8 
A.  M.,  and  arrived  in  Philadelphia  at  lamp-light  in  winter.  The  fare 
was  two  dollars,  and  at  Chester  fifty  cents  for  dinner.  And  if  the 
road  was  bad,  you  had  the  privilege  to  walk  half-way,  and  this  was 
unavoidable. 

True,  this  short  journey  did  afford  variety.  Here  was  an  alarm  ; 
there  was  a  break-down  or  an  overset.  The  drivers  loved  to  race  with 
other  stages  passing  through,  so  the  adventures  of  a  day's  ride  might 
result  in  sad  bruises,  black  eyes,  or  broken  bones.  With  all  these 
disasters,  there  was  less  murmuring  than  in  a  short  detention  now  in 
the  cars  or  steamboats. 

Hacks  superseded  stages,  with  very  careful  obliging  drivers ;  among 
these  was  Joseph  Todd,  a  very  respectable  man,  who  continues  to  keep 
hacks  at  this  day. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  147 

Steamboats  next  supplanted  all  other  public  conveyances.  Capt. 
Milner  plied  the  first  regular  boat  to  Philadelphia.  The  Vesta  was 
soon  unfitted  for  service,  and  when  out  of  use  was  accidentally  burnt 
at  the  U'harf  The  Etna  was  thought  unsafe,  and  disposed  of  The 
Wilmington  was  long  in  service,  first  commanded  by  Captain  Milner, 
then  by  Captain  Read,  both  very  popular  in  consequence  of  their  ac- 
commodating manners. 

Dreamy  recollections  seem  floating  in  memory  of  a  boat,  plying 
this  creek  in  1790  or  '92,  with  paddles  at  the  stern,  going  up  and 
down ;  such  a  thing  I  saw,  and  believe  the  owner  was  John  Fitch. 
Great  predictions  of  its  future. usefulness  were  then  in  circulation. 

The  third  wharf  was  Shallcross's ;  he  was  long  in  the  shipping 
business.  The  next  owner  of  it  was  William  Hemphill,  who  was  also 
largely  engaged  in  commerce,  and  died  here  in  a  good  old  age. 

Below  Robinson's,  a  jut  of  land  whei-e  boats  conld  unload  freight, 
but  not  sufficient  depth  of  water  for  vessels,  belonged  to  Henry  Whit- 
sal,  cedar  cooper,  who  was  an  innocent  good  man,  one  of  the  early 
Methodists  in  this  region.  His  dwelling  adjoined  the  present  dilapi- 
dated custom-house. 

Though  it  is  changing  our  subject,  and  to  some  may  not  seem  our 
direct  way,  we  would  rejoice  to  hear  that  our  citizens  had  aroused 
from  their  slumber,  to  ask  a  pittance  from  the  treasury,  and  rear  an 
edifice  fitted  for  Government  business  in  Wilmington.  Surely,  the 
powers  that  be  could  not  hesitate  to  grant  the  claims  of  a  little  sister 
State,  whose  treasures  were  exhausted,  and  much  of  her  precious  blood 
spilt,  to  achieve  independence. 

Besides,  to  the  wise  men  who  guided  the  Ship  of  State  through  the 
ocean  of  conflicts,  to  found  the  Constitution,  Delaware  was  a  leading 
star,  which  in  rolling  years  has  not  been  eclipsed  by  the  mist  of  dis- 
union. 

The  fourth  wharf  was  Robinson's,  who  before  the  Revolution  com- 
manded vessels  from  this  port,  then  declined  a  seafaring  life,  and 
became  a  shipping  merchant  of  some  note.  Mr.  R.  was  a  very  worthy 
man ;  he  built  a  house  in  Front  street  near  Market,  where  he  died  in 
the  prime  of  life,  leaving  a  widow  and  two  children  to  bemoan  their 
loss,  and  many  friends  to  sympathize  in  their  sorrows. 

His  widow  married  Samuel  Carswell,  who  removed  hence  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  was  many  years  successfully  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business,  when  he  died  and  left  much  wealth  and  a  fair  name.  The 
next  owner  was  Warner ;  it  is  below  the  bridge. 


148  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

On  Rurnford's  wharf  above,  George  Taylor  lived,  who  sailed  a 
packet ;  he  was  from  Holland,  and  his  time  was  purchased  by  my 
grandfather,  and  for  many  years  he  sailed  grandfather's  packet  to 
New  York,  till  his  health  was  impaired.  Then  Taylor  entered  into 
the  business  with  Archibald  Little,  one  of  the  first  in  this  line,  who 
was  a  very  respectable  man,  and  his  daughter,  a  worthy  woman,  mar- 
ried Robert  Hamilton,  Esquire. 

George  Taylor  was  an  industrious,  useful  man,  and  acquired  a 
handsome  independence.  These  persons  sailed  packets  before  the 
Revolution.     Taylor  died  about  the  year  1787. 

The  wharf  above  the  bridge  was  Rumford's.  The  owner  was  a 
respectable  shipping  merchant  long  before  the  Revolution,  and  an 
enterprising  and  useful  member  of  this  community ;  many  vessels  and 
houses  were  built  through  the  means  of  Jonathan  Rumford.  That 
large  mansion,  corner  of  Front  and  Thorn  streets,  and  parallel  with 
his  wharf,  was  erected  and  occupied  by  him  till  death  released  him 
from  earthly  cares. 

In  troublous  times  he  leaned  to  royalty,  but  never  meddled  with 
the  affairs  of  State.  It  was  a  crisis  when  he  who  declared  himself 
neutral  was  deemed  to  be  guilty,  and  the  innocent  often  suffered  for 
opinion's  sake,  while  the  criminal  escaped. 

In  those  days,  his  dwelling  was  in  Fourth  street  below  Market, 
and  was  entered  by  a  few  fanatics,  who  professed  zeal  for  the  cause 
they  disgraced,  threatening  destruction  to  all  his  property  and  death 
to  him.  Snatching  firebrands  from  the  oven,  they  scattered  them 
through  the  rooms,  and  abused  his  person  in  the  most  brutal  manner, 
fracturing  his  skull  with  a  blacksmith's  hammer,  an  implement  of  the 
leader's  trade. 

Mr.  Rumford  lay  apparently  lifeless  on  the  floor,  when  Captain 
Hugh  Montgomery,  my  father,  was  called  to  his  relief;  who  on  his 
way  was  joined  by  two  militia  captains,  Kean  and  Stidham.  Every- 
thing was  in  the  greatest  confusion,  and  his  family  panic  stricken ;  no 
one  dared  to  go  to  his  relief.  His  wife  was  in  deep  affliction,  having 
an  infant,  her  only  daughter,  ill  with  the  small-pox.  She  knew  not 
where  to  fly  for  safety. 

Captain  Montgomery  advised  the  distressed  mother  to  hand  the 
child  over  the  fence  to  her  kind  neighbor  Miss  Peggy  Allison,  who 
was  willing  to  take  charge  of  it.  This  infant  was  then  in  a  dying 
state,  and  from  exposure  soon  sunk  into  a  happy  rest. 

My  father  was  the  first  to  ascend  the  stairs,  amid  showers  of  fire- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  149 

brands,  which  singed  his  hair  and  ruined  his  coat.  The  others  fol- 
lowed, who  fared  but  little  better.  Those  gentlemen  saved  him  from 
a  violent  death,  and  his  house  from  destruction. 

Though  he  recovered  from  the  wounds,  his  faculties  were  impaired, 
and  his  capability  for  business  so  injured  that  in  a  few  years  from  a 
very  rich  man  he  died  poor,  and  his  ignominious  persecutors  were 
branded  as  cowards,  and  their  ruin  soon  ensued. 

About  1791  or  '92,  this  mansion  and  wharf  were  sold  to  liquidate 
his  debts.  Doctor  Nicholas  Way  was  empowered  by  E.  McComb, 
Esq.,  to  purchase  the  whole  property  at  a  limited  price.  It  was  sold 
for  much  less  than  he  offered,  and  the  balance  generously  presented 
to  Mrs.  Rumford  by  Dr.  Way. 

Mr.  McComb  fitted  up  the  house  in  handsome  style,  and  removed 
from  Dover ;  and  we  remember  the  beautiful  hot-press  paper  imported 
by  him  from  France  to  ornament  the  parlor  walls.  It  was  so  great 
an  affair  in  this  region  that  it  was  noised  abroad,  and  well  preserved 
for  nearly  half  a  century.  It  was  in  good  order  when  renewed  a  few 
years  since. 

Mr.  McComb  entered  into  the  flour  business,  and  kept  packets  in 
connection  with  Col.  Tilton,  and  was  a  public-spirited  man,  who  did 
much  to  improve  his  neighborhood  and  benefit  others. 

In  1793,  when  the  yellow  fever  first  prevailed  in  Philadelphia,  he 
accommodated  Mr.  Wilcox,  an  eminent  merchant  there,  with  part  of 
his  house  for  his  family,  and  the  wharf  for  his  ships.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McComb  were  worthy  persons  and  highly  esteemed,  very  prepossessing 
in  their  personal  appearance  and  manners.  They  had  four  children, 
who  lived  to  be  men  and  women,  all  very  attractive. 

But  the  eldest  son,  Thomas  McComb,  and  the  eldest  daughter, 
Mrs.  Clayton,  were  remarkably  handsome.  To  her,  the  beloved  com- 
panion of  our  school  days,  we  must  pay  the  tribute  of  affection  to  say 
she  was  as  lovely  as  she  was  beautiful.  Both  those  valued  members 
of  the  best  society  here,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.,  fell  victims  to  the  yellow 
fever  in  1798,  and  none  were  more  deeply  lamented. 

They  were  professors  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  suddenly 
called  away.  "  Yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord  ;  I  will  joy  in  the  God 
of  my  salvation." 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  McComb,  this  estate  was  purchased  by 

James  Brian,  a  Friend,  who  continued  the  same  business,  and  in  1802 

his  wife  died  here  with  yellow  fever,  and  left  one  daughter,  a  very 

estimable  woman,  whose  husband,  John  Stapler,  contiilued  the  busi- 

19* 


150  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

ness.  Mr.  Brian  was  largely  engaged  in  the  Nova  fScotia  trade,  and 
made  extensive  contracts  with  Captain  CufFe,  whom  we  shall  notice 
hereafter.  * 

Ship  building  was  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  it  was 
the  custom  for  the  owner  of  the  vessel,  while  on  the  stocks,  to  furnish 
spirits  for  the  workmen,  sending  it  twice  a  day  to  the  yard  ;  and  they 
usually  bought  it  by  the  hogshead,  for  it  was  drunk  pretty  freely. 
They  also  had  to  give  the  dinner  at  the  launch. 

Thomas  Willing,  from  whom  this  town  was  first  named,  built  a 
sloop  for  grandfather,  who  often  spoke  of  him  as  his  friend,  and  an 
enterprising  man,  and  pointed  out  his  dwelling;  it  is  yet  standing  as 
a  relic  of  antiquity,  and  one  of  the  first  brick  houses  built  in  the 
village ;  it  is  in  Second  near  French  street,  and  built  one-story  and 
hip-roofed.     He  married  Catharine  Stedham,  a  Swede. 

In  colonial  times,  a  relative  of  Mr.  Willing  lived  here,  who  was 
married  to  Mr.  Relf.  A  very  handsome  lady  w\as  often  their  guest, 
Mrs.  Dolly  Willing,  wife  of  Captain  Willing;  occasionally  she  wore 
a  diamond  ring,  so  rare  in  these  primitive  days  as  to  attract  much 
notice.  The  Swedes  of  higher  order  brought  much  valuable  plate 
from  Sweden,  which  they  had  in  use,  but  they  had  very  little  jewelry. 

Near  this  wharf  was  a  ship-yard  of  note  for  years.  There  Barney 
Harris  built  the  famed  "  Nancy,"  whose  adventurous  story  will  be 
narrated.  William  Woodcock  also  occupied  the  same  spot,  and  built 
many  vessels.  These  persons  were  masters  of  their  business,  and 
were  highly  respected  to  old  age.  Near  here  were  built  in  my  days 
the  ships  Washington,  Wilmington,  and  Liberty,  with  numerous  brigs. 
In  later  times,  Enoch  Moore  built  vessels  here. 

In  this  neighborhood  was  an  old  pottery  carried  on  for  a  time  by 
Samuel  Preston  Mooi'e,  but  for  many  years  by  John  Jones,  a  very 
worthy  man,  and  a  member  of  Friends'  Society. 

The  wharves  were  owned  by  men  in  the  shipping  trade  ;  and  we 
have  heard  of  others  engaged  in  it,  Dawes,  Giles  Bennet,  Gilpin, 
Tatnall,  Montgomery,  &c.,  before  the  Revolution  ;  and  we  know  so 
many  in  our  day  which  confirms  the  opinion  and  reminiscenses,  it 
proves  the  fact  that  this  was  early  a  commercial  town.  When  we  re- 
member the  name  of  a  person  in  any  business  connected  with  it,  we 
have  noticed  it. 

The  old  house  at  the  corner  of  the  bridge,  now  a  tavern,  was  long 
occupied  by  Jonas  Matson,  blockmaker.  Mrs.  Matson  was  famed  for 
her  kind  attention  to  the  sick  and  afflicted.     Her  purse  was  small. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  151 

but  her  heart  was  expansive,  and  her  hands  never  wearied  in  good 
acts.  "  Silver  and  gold  have  I  none,  but  such  as  I  have  give  I  thee." 
Near  the  corner  of  King  street  was  an  old  brick  building,  and  in 
days  of  yore  the  upper  story  was  the  sail-maker's  loft  of  Alexander 
Davis,  whom  we  have  noticed.     This  is  now  the  steamboat  wharf. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

A  Singular  Incident — Brig  Friday — Capt.  J.  jM. — Prizes— Robert  Morris,  Esq. — 
Brig  Nancy — Capt.  H.  Montgomery — Sails  under  British  Colors — News  of 
Independence — Arms  the  Brig — Invited  Guests — St.  Thomas's  hauls  down 
the  Flag — Hoists  the  first  American  Flag  in  a  Foreign  Port— Lands  Ammu- 
nition and  Arms — Explosion — Lieut.  Weeks  Killed — Scuttling  a  Brig — Rais- 
ing Her — Cargo  arrives  Safe — Capt.  H.  M.  fell  in  1780. 

In  narrating  scenes  on  the  ocean,  memory  will  throw  its  hues  of 
sorrow^  and  of  joy  over  those  who  "go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  for 
they  have  heard  evil  tidings ;  there  is  sorrow  on  the  sea,  for  those 
whom  the  raging  billows  have  buried  in  the  ocean's  depths,  and  no 
man  kuoweth  his  sepulchre  unto  this  day." 

"  When  the  dread  trumpet  sounds  to  wake  the  dead, 
Not  a  single  spot  of  burial  earth, 
Whether  on  land  or  in  the  spacious  sea, 
But  must  give  back  its  long  committed  dust 
Inviolate.     Ask  not  how  this  can  be  ; 
Almighty  God  has  done  much  more." 

Of  those  who  cry  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble,  and  he  saveth 
them  out  of  their  distresses,  "  maketh  the  storm  a  calm,  so  that  the 
waves  are  still,  he  briugeth  them  to  their  desired  haven,"  to  end  life's 
voyage  in  peace,  and  to  lie  beneath  the  clods  of  yon  valley,  slumber- 
ing in  the  earth  which  embosoms  their  dearest  friends. 

"  'Tis  but  a  night,  a  long  and  moonless  night ; 
We  make  the  grave  our  bed  and  then  are  gone. 
Thus  at  the  shut  of  even  the  weary  bird 
Leaves  the  wide  air,  and  in  some  lonely  break 
Cowers  down  and  dozes  till  the  dawn  of  day, 
Then  claps  his  well-tlcdgcd  wings  aud  bears  away." 


152  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

My  mother  was  witness  to  a  remarkable  incident  at  the  closing 
scene  of  her  half  brother.  He  enjoyed  excellent  health  and  great 
energy,  until  the  age  of  twenty-five  ;  then  a  neglected  cold  affected 
his  lungs,  and  as  medical  skill  proved  ineffectual,  emigration  to  a 
warmer  climate  was  recommended.  Conscious  of  his  hopeless  case, 
he  desired  to  die  at  home,  and  this  caused  him  to  procrastinate  until 
the  most  favorable  moment  for  his  departure  had  glided  by  ere  he 
reluctantly  sailed  from  this  port  in  1767,  bound  to  a  West  India  isle. 

A  prosperous  voyage  and  mild  climate  had  no  effect,  and  he  made 
haste  to  return  ;  and  it  was  arranged  that,  should  death  bear  away 
the  immortal  spirit  on  the  deep  ocean,  the  remains  should  be  brought 
home  and  deposited  by  his  mother's  side  in  the  Swedes'  cemetery. 

At  the  time  of  his  embarking  he  was  so  enfeebled  that  it  was 
deemed  highly  improbable  that  he  should  reach  home  alive.  His 
anxiety  was  intense,  daily  inquiring  of  the  captain  how  they  pro- 
gressed, and  expressing  his  ardent  desire  to  die  at  home.  After  a  few 
days  on  the  sea,  life  seemed  drawing  to  a  close.  The  captain  and 
even  the  crew  were  much  excited. 

In  sight  of  Cape  Henlopeu,  a  violent  storm  arose  with  contrary 
winds,  and  the  brig  was  blown  off  to  sea,  and  amidst  the  gale  his  pulse 
had  ceased  to  beat.  As  soon  as  the  captain  was  relieved  from  duty, 
he  performed  the  sad  task  of  attending  to  the  corpse,  and  he  was 
buoyed  up  with  the  hope  that  the  wind  would  soon  change  and  be  per- 
mitted to  convey  the  remains  home  in  a  state  of  preservation. 

But  days  passed  with  little  variation  in  the  weather.  There  was  a 
daily  examination  made  of  the  body,  which  exhibited  no  change,  and 
this  seemed  mysterious,  for  the  captain  and  sailors  affirmed  that  on 
that  day  a  week,  at  sea,  they  witnessed  the  sad  event  of  his  soul  de- 
parting, when  they  bore  the  clay  tenement  of  this  beloved  one  to  the 
abode  of  his  step-father,  where  his  relatives  had  assembled. 

Contrary  to  medical  advice,  this  parent  gave  orders  to  lay  him  in 
his  bed  as  a  sick  person.  Very  soon  he  opened  his  eyes,  and  in  an 
audible  voice  thanked  his  Heavenly  Father  for  his  mercy  in  bringing 
him  home  to  die  among  his  relatives.  Then  taking  his  father's  hand, 
he  said  it  had  been  long  since  he  had  taken  any  nourishment,  and 
that  he  needed  something  to  strengthen  him,  for  he  had  much  to  com- 
municate that  was  important,  and  but  a  very  little  time  allotted  him 
to  remain  here. 

Wine  was  offered,  which  he  refused,  saying  he  preferred  chocolate, 
and  thought  it  was  the  only  thing  he  could  take.     The  process  of  pre- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  153 

paring  it  was  slow  in  those  days.  He  inquired  for  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Boreal,  and  when  informed  that  he  was  dead,  he  replied  that  he  knew 
it.  A  similar  question  was  asked  relative  to  another  individual  who 
had  also  died  during  his  absence,  to  which  he  made  the  same  response. 
When  my  mother  brought  him  the  chocolate,  he  reached  forth  his 
hand,  and  in  a  moment  was  gone. 

"  And  he  that  was  dead  sat  up  and  began  to  speak,  and  there  came 
a  fear  on  all."  This  rumor  of  him  went  throughout  all  the  region. 
This  young  man  was  John  Hendrickson. 

A  singular  fact  next  comes  under  our  notice.  Isaac  Harvey  was 
in  the  shipping  business,  and  intended  to  build  a  brig.  In  those  days, 
prejudice  was  very  strong  against  commencing  any  transaction  on 
Friday,  which  he  resolved  to  make  a  strong  effort  to  do  away  by  en- 
tering into  all  his  contracts  on  that  day. 

The  timber  was  engaged,  the  carpenters  employed,  the  vessel  put 
on  the  stocks  and  launched,  and  she  was  named  "  Friday."  And  they 
began  to  load  her  on  that  day ;  but  he  had  much  difficulty  with  the 
sailors,  and  was  obliged  to  bribe  them  to  loose  from  the  mooring  and 
make  sail. 

On  that  unlucky  day  week,  in  the  midst  of  a  most  awful  gale,  the 
crew  of  a  homeward  bound  vessel  saw  this  brig,  and  the  men  with  axes 
cutting  away  the  masts.  From  that  hour  neither  brig  nor  crew  were 
ever  heard  of,  and  as  there  was  no  insurance  his  loss  was  great. 

Mrs.  Harvey  strenuously  opposed  the  design  at  first,  and  predicted 
that  it  would  end  disastrously.  When  the  loss  of  the  brig  was  cer- 
tain, she  walked  the  floor,  wringing  her  hands  in  despondency,  and 
exclaiming,  "  Isaac,  this  is  all  thy  sixth  day's  doing.  I  warned  thee 
of  the  consequences." 

In  the  Revolution,  a  Scotchman,  Captain  James  Montgomery,  com- 
manded a  small  armed  vessel  in  the  Coutinental  service.  One  morn* 
ing,  while  seated  at  breakfast  at  a  hotel,  news  was  brought  that  several 
store-ships  of  the  enemy  were  coming  up  the  river.  He  quickly  rose 
from  the  table,  saying,  "  Gentlemen,  now  is  ray  harvest  time."  His 
vessel  was  soon  under  full  sail,  and,  before  the  sunset,  he  brought  up 
this  creek  three  valuable  prizes. 

Another  store-ship,  with  valuable  goods  and  much  booty,  run  on 
shore  above  the  creek.  A  few  daring  spirits  boarded  her  in  boats, 
and  landed  her  whole  cargo.     A  choice  prize. 

In  all  ages  the  mind  of  man  has  been  alive  to  the  narration  of 
thrilling  events ;  but  none  of  the  vicissitudes  that  humanity  is  heir  to 
20 


154  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

so  readily  awakens  the  sympathies  of  youth  as  the  diversified  adven- 
,  tures  of  life  on  the  ocean.  It  is  listened  to  with  intense  interest,  and 
read  with  an  avidity  which  overlooks  any  defects  or  lack  of  skill  in 
the  narrator.  In  imagination  they  rise  with  its  raging  billows  moun- 
tains high,  descend  into  its  deep  abyss  to  behold  its  wonders,  or  are 
wafted  over  the  rolling  waves  by  balmy  breezes,  to  view  the  novelties 
of  foreign  realms. 

The  fancy  of  another  may  be  suited  by  the  simplicity  of  the  story, 
if  it  is  truth  unadorned.  Such  is  the  following,  and  no  doubt  its 
value  will  be  enhanced  by  being  an  interesting  fact  of  the  Revolution, 
though  unhonored  by  a  place  in  the  national  annals.  It  is  glanced 
over  in  the  Journal  of  the  Secret  Committee  for  Public  Safety,  and  at 
the  dawn  of  that  eventful  day  the  issue  was  hailed  as  an  important 
item  in  forwarding  the  cause  of  independence,  and  those  who  achieved 
it  were  lauded  throughout  the  colonies  for  heroic  patriotism. 

In  the  winter  of  1775,  Robert  Morris,  Esq.,  Financier  for. the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  chartered  the  brig  Nancy,  of  Wilmington,  Del., 
owned  by  Joseph  Shallcross,  Joseph  Tatnall,  and  others,  and  by  Capt. 
Hugh  Montgomery,  who  was  the  commander.  The  ensuing  March 
she  sailed  for  Porto  Rico,  under  Euglish  colors,  and  landed  Don  An- 
tonio Seronia  to  procure  arms  and  ammunition  by  a  contract  previously 
made  with  the  Spanish  government. 

Thence  the  brig  sailed  to  different  islands  to  elude  suspicion.  At 
St.  Croix  and  St.  Thomas  she  took  in  produce  by  day  and  munitions 
of  war  by  night ;  these  were  sent  in  small  vessels  from  St.  Eustatia, 
being  neutral  islands. 

When  the  cargo  was  nearly  complete,  information  was  received 
that  independence  was  declared,  and  a  description  of  the  colors  adopted. 
This  was  cheering  intelligence  to  the  captain,  as  it  would  divest  him 
of  acting  clandestinely.  Now  they  could  show  true  colors.  The  ma- 
terial was  at  once  procured,  and  a  young  man  on  board  set  to  work 
privately  to  make  them. 

He  was  well  known  here  in  after  years  as  Capt.  Thomas  Menden- 
hall.  The  number  of  men  was  increased,  and  the  brig  armed  for  de- 
,  fence,  and  all  things  put  in  order.  The  day  they  sailed  the  captain 
and  Mr.  A.  S.  had  invited  the  Governor  and  suit,  with  twenty  other 
gentlemen,  on  board  to  dine.  A  sumptuous  dinner  was  cooked,  and  a 
sea-turtle  being  prepared  gave  it  the  usual  name  of  a  turtle  feast. 

As  the  Custom-house  barges  approached  with  the  company,  they 
were  ordered  to  lay  on  their  oars  while  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  was 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  155 

fired.  Amid  the  firing,  this  young  man  was  ordered  to  haul  down 
the  English  flag,  and  hoist  the  first  American  stars  ever  seen  in  a 
foreign  port.  "  Cheers  for  the  National  Congress ;"  cries  of  "  Down 
with  the  lion  ;  up  with  the  stars  and  stripes,"  were  shouted. 

This  novelty  caused  great  excitement  to  the  numberless  vessels 
then  lying  in  the  harbor,  and  to  the  distinguished  guests  it  was  a  most 
animating  scene.  After  the  entertainment  was  hurried  over,  they 
returned  in  their  boats,  and  the  brig  was  soon  under  full  sail.  On  her 
homeward  voyage  she  was  often  chased,  but  being  a  superior  sailer, 
escaped. 

Near  the  capes  of  Delaware,  enveloped  in  a  dense  fog,  they  saw  a 
fleet,  but  could  not  discern  the  colors.  They  had  been  informed  that 
Congress  was  fitting  out  a  fleet  from  the  Delaware  Bay,  and  perhaps 
this  might  be  the  one.  However,  it  was  soon  known  that  the  enemy 
was  pursuing,  and  that  there  was  no  hope  of  escape,  their  entrance 
into  the  bay  being  cut  off"  by  two  frigates  and  their  tenders. 

In  this  dilemma,  the  only  feasible  plan  appeared  to  run  the  brig 
on  shore  and  make  an  effort  to  save  some  part  of  the  arms  and  ammu- 
nition near  Cape  Island.  The  place  where  this  important  landing 
was  effected  was  called  Turtle  Gut  Inlet.  At  this  crisis.  Lieutenant 
Weeks  came  with  a  barge  filled  with  men,  sent  by  his  brother,  Cap- 
tain Weeks,  commander  of  the  Continental  fleet  in  Delaware  Bay,  to 
look  out  for  the  "  Nancy,"  and  warn  her  of  the  danger,  as  the  enemy 
were  on  the  alert  to  capture  her. 

This  was  a  momentous  period.  The  country  was  engaged  in  war 
with  a  powerful  foe,  with  very  little  powder  or  arras  for  defence. 
Captain  Montgomery  was  aware  of  this,  and  though  not  one  who  had 
sounded  the  first  trumpet  for  war,  but  united  with  those  who  were 
willing  to  forbear  longer,  was  a  faithful  patriot  still.  The  evil  had 
come,  and  must  be  met. 

He  assembled  the  crew,  and  stated  his  determination  to  defend  the 
munitions  of  war  at  all  hazards;  he  did  not  wish  to  conceal  the  immi- 
nent danger  of  contending  with  such  a  superior  force.  The  officer 
said,  "  If  there  is  a  man  fearful  and  faint-hearted,  let  him  go.  The 
boat  is  ready  to  take  him  on  shore.  These  public  stores  must  be  pro- 
tected to  aid  our  destitute  country  iu  the  dark  hour  of  need,  in  the 
noble  cause  of  liberty."  There  was  a  momentary  and  solemn  silence 
when  the  young  man  who  had  made  the  flag  stepped  forward  and  said, 
"  Captain,  I  will  stand  by  you."  Then  three  cheers  were  given,  and 
not  a  man  flinched  from  duty.     Lieutenant  Weeks  and  men  were 


156  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

placed  on  shore  to  protect  the  stores,  when  landed,  for  the  Tories  in- 
fested these  places.  "Ye  approach  this  day  unto  battle  against  your 
enemies ;  let  not  your  hearts  faint ;  fear  not." 

The  frigates  with  their  long  guns  commenced  firing,  but  did  little 
execution.  The  tenders  nearer  kept  up  a  constant  fire,  while  small 
boats  manned  made  three  desperate  attempts  to  board.  For  nearly 
twelve  hours,  those  brave  men  made  their  defence  against  such  for- 
midable odds  under  heavy  firing  of  cannon  and  small  arms,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  saving  the  greater  portion  of  the  pjwder  and  arms,  landing 
them  safe  and  untouched,  while  the  sugar  and  rum  hogsheads  along- 
side were  fired  into  and  some  entirely  destroyed. 

The  brig  was  so  shattered  that  not  a  sail  or  a  spar  was  spared,  the 
caboose  was  shot  away,  and  the  hulk  so  perfect  a  wreck  that  it  could 
be  no  longer  safe.  One  tottering  mast,  with  the  national  flag  flying, 
seemed  only  left  to  guess  her  fate. 

Still  a  quantity  of  powder  and  valuable  merchandise  was  below, 
and  it  was  resolved  ere  she  was  abandoned  to  prevent  these  stores  from 
falling  into  the  hands  of  an  enemy  by  blowing  her  up. 

The  plan  was  arranged  so  that  the  men  could  have  time  to  leave, 
and  the  captain  and  four  hands  were  the  last  to  quit.  As  the  boat 
distanced  the  wreck,  one  man,  John  Hancock,  jumped  overboard,  as 
he  said,  "  to  save  the  beloved  banner  or  perish  in  the  effort."  His 
movements  were  so  sudden  that  no  chance  was  afforded  to  prevent  his 
boldness,  and  they  looked  on  with  terror  to  see  him  ascend  the  shiv- 
ering mast  and  deliberately  unfasten  the  flag,  then  plunge  into  the  sea 
and  bear  it  on  shore. 

But  oh  I  what  a  terrific  catastrophe  this  exploit  caused  !  The 
enemy  supposing  it  a  signal  of  surrender,  hastened  in  boats  to  take 
possession  of  their  prize.  They  drew  near,  rending  the  air  with 
shouts  and  hurrahs.  There  was  an  explosion,  and  the  brig  and  near- 
est boats  were  blown  to  atoms.  Not  a  soul  of  the  unfortunate  crew 
of  the  boats  was  left  to  tell  the  awful  story. 

No  such  disastrous  event  was  anticipated,  and  sorrow  and  sadness 
clouded  every  brow  while  engaged  in  the  decent  interment  of  the  re- 
mains floating  on  shore.  Men  who  had  barely  escaped  from  battle 
looked  on  the  scene  of  carnage  with  horror. 

Such  are  the  inconsistencies  of  war  that  we  are  lost  in  wonder 
how  men  in  this  enlightened  age,  when  the  Sun  of  Eighteousness  has 
arisen  in  glorious  splendor,  displaying  in  vivid  colors  all  the  immoral- 
ities and  evils  connected  with  such  a  cause,  can  aid  or  espouse  it.    Yet 


§1 


^ 


^      ' 


11 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  157 

more,  how  can  they  who  are  appointed  as  overseers  use  their  signa- 
tures to  involve  a  Christian  nation  in  such  miseries? 

If  it  be  for  honor  and  glory,  then  the  inheritance  lawfully  belongs 
to  those  who  encounter  the  perils  and  gain  the  victories.  But  too 
often  they  descend  to  the  grave  in  obscurity,  while  their  hard-earned 
laurels  adorn  the  brows  of  the  powei'S  that  be. 

For  a  season  prosperity  may  cherish  the  verdure  in  freshness,  and 
imagined  glory  possess  a  joyuus  heart,  but  when  prostrated  on  the 
couch  of  death,  the  world  and  its  honors  receding,  how  valueless  is 
the  withered  laurel !  Imagination  may  be  tortured  by  the  thought  of 
the  desolate  widow  and  orphans,  of  mangled  martyrs,  and  of  the  sad 
policy  of  strewing  with  thorns  one's  pathway  to  the  grave. 

The  explosion  of  the  brig  was  heard  forty  miles  above  Philadel- 
phia. A  hogshead  of  rum  floated  on  shore,  where  the  men,  who  had 
suffered  hunger  and  thirst  for  twenty-four  hours,  knocked  in  the  head 
and  turned  the  liquor  into  a  well  to  assuage  their  burning  thirst. 

Though  the  engagement  was  over,  the  frigates  kept  up  firing,  and 
might  renew  the  attack  by  landing  men.  The  captain,  much  fatigued, 
was  seated  on  a  chest,  and  as  he  drew  away  his  leg,  a  ball  entered  the 
spot,  which  Lieut.  Weeks  handed  to  him,  and  the  captain  expressed  his 
gratitude  for  the  hair-breadth  escape. 

"The  young  man  replied,  "  My  brave  officer,  these  balls  were  not 
made  to  kill  you  nor  me."  In  the  moment,  a  ball  severed  his  head ! 
A  brave,  noble  youth,  and  the  only  man  killed  during  the  battle.  He 
was  the  youngest  of  seven  brothers,  who  were  in  their  country's  ser- 
vice, and  five  were  killed  during  the  revolution. 

A  lad  was  badly  wounded  in  the  thigh,  and  when  brought  home, 
they  found  a  piece  of  his  check  shirt  had  been  shot  into  it.  Joshua 
Giffin  was  the  lad's  name,  a  native  of  ihis  town.  He  proved  himself 
a  brave  youth,  and  was  one  of  the  many  who  sailed  from  this  port, 
and  in  succeeding  years  found  a  grave  in  the  ocean.  His  father  was 
an  old  and  worthy  townsman,  whose  descendants  are  still  here,  and 
reipember  the  circumstances  of  this  narrative. 

Every  vehicle  on  the  island  was  put  in  requisition  to  convey  the 
stores  over  to  the  bay  side,  where  they  were  placed  in  the  Wasp,  Capt. 
Weeks.  They  were  joyfully  received  by  the  authorities  in  Philadel- 
phia. "  We  will  briug  it  to  thee  in  floats  to  Joppa,  and  thou  shalt 
carry  it  up  to  Jerusalem." 

During  the  action,  the  sailors  had  landed  many  valuables  owned 
by  the  captain,  which  were  stolen,  and  no  remuneration  was  ever  made 
20* 


158  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

by  j^overnment  for  these  important  services,  though  the  transaction 
was  deemed  of  great  consequence  at  that  momentous  crisis.  A  letter 
from  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  now  in 
the  archives  at  Washington,  naming  the  captain  and  brig,  will  testify 
the  approval  of  that  honorable  body  at  the  time  they  received  news 
of  the  explosion. 

Eventually  it  cost  Captain  Montgomery  his  life,  in  1780,  when  re- 
turning from  New  Providence,  where  he  had  been  a  prisoner.  The 
vessel  was  attacked  by  one  of  superior  force,  and  he  fell  a  victim  to 
the  horrors  of  war.  His  fate  was  deeply  deplored,  for  he  was  a  brave 
and  worthy  man. 

There  are  a  few  yet  living  who  recollect  it,  and  it  has  been  stated 
that  on  the  arrival  of  the  sad  news,  the  town  was  overshadowed  with 
gloom ;  every  window  was  bowed,  expressive  of  sorrow.  A  widow 
and  infant  daughter  were  left  to  mourn.  "  Weep  sore  for  him  that 
goeth  away,  for  he  shall  no  more  return  to  his  native  country." 

Years  rolled  on,  and  business  was  neglected.  The  widow  was  en- 
shrouded by  a  deep  and  abiding  sadness,  which  blighted  much  of  the 
joys  of  life,  and  she  ordered  her  papers  to  be  burned.  Though  death 
had  dissolved  the  tie  which  bound  her  to  the  husband  of  her  youth, 
the  spoiler  had  no  power  to  remove  his  image  from  her  heart.  Though 
his  mortal  part  had  faded  in  a  watery  grave,  she  cherished  his  image 
until  the  close  of  a  long  life. 

In  the  fall  of  1801,  through  the  advice  of  Gov.  Dickinson,  an  ap- 
plication was  made  to  Congress  for  remuneration  for  services  and 
losses,  by  our  representative,  James  A.  Bayard,  Esq.,  (a  limitation  act 
was  in  force.)  Proper  papers  could  not  be  procured,  yet  those  gentle- 
men foresaw  no  difficulty  to  substantiate  the  fact  w^hile  so  many  wit- 
nesses of  the  highest  respectability  were  living. 

When  a  petition  was  required,  Mr.  Robert  Morris  was  applied  to, 
who  kindly  offered  to  take  the  whole  affiiir  upon  himself,  although  he 
was  just  released  from  prison.  He  thought  it  his  duty  to  go  to  Wash- 
ington, and  search  for  the  papers  there,  by  himself  deposited,  relating 
to  the  transaction,  because  his  influence  had  induced  Capt.  Montgom- 
ery to  undertake  this  hazardous  voyage. 

But  the  office  had  lately  been  burned,  and  the  papers  lost,  and 
there  was  no  money  in  the  treasury.  To  acknowledge  this  claim 
would  be  to  invite  others,  and  it  was  thought  best  to  defer  it  to  a  more 
propitious  season.     But  it  was  marked  for  a  future  day. 

In  1831,  the  daughter  was  urged  by  an  officer  of  the  Revolution, 


Beminiscences  of  Wilmington.  159 

who  knew  the  justice  of  the  claim,  to  renew  it.  Most  of  those  inter- 
ested were  now  dead.  Application  was  made  once  more,  and  he  who 
in  youth  who  had  hoisted  and  completed  the  flag,  now  a  hoary-headed 
sire,  went  to  Washington,  and  stated  to  the  committee  on  claims  the 
facts. 

No  doubt  existed  of  the  merits  of  the  case,  and  that  a  debt  was 
due  the  heirs  of  Capt.  M.,  but  as  the  amount  of  the  claim  could  not 
not  be  ascertained  at  that  late  day,  justice  was  withheld. 

That  honorable  body  were  too  conscientious  to  squander  public  mo- 
ney, and  feared  to  pay  one  dollar  more  than  was  due.  We  venture  to 
say,  had  it  been  their  own  interests  to  be  served,  conscience  would 
have  been  less  exacting,  and  justice  been  done  to  the  claimant.  The 
thorough  knowledge  Robert  Morris,  Esq.,  possessed  of  revolutionary 
affairs,  was  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  most  incredulous.  However,  such 
injustice  is  no  new  thing,  for  we  read  in  ancient  times  that  "  there  was 
a  little  city,  and  few  men  within  it,  and  there  came  a  great  king 
against  it  and  besieged  it.  Now,  there  was  found  in  it  a  poor  wise 
man,  and  he  by  his  wisdom  delivered  the  city.  Yet  no  man  remem- 
bered that  same  poor  man." 

Another  eventful  story  of  the  Revolution,  previously  occurred 
about  the  year  1777,  involving  a  few  of  the  same  individuals,  is  next 
presented.  A  brig  owned  by  Joseph  Shallcross  &  Co.,  and  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Montgomery,  homeward  bound  with  a  valuable 
cargo,  and  in  order  to  escape  the  enemy  he  ran  into  an  inlet  near  Egg 
Harbor,  unloaded  and  secreted  the  cargo,  and  scuttled  the  brig. 

An  express  was  sent  for  Mr.  S.  to  bring  down  ship  carpenters  and 
others,  and  while  preparations  were  going  on  to  reload,  the  enemy  was 
informed  that  the  rebels  were  at  Tucker's  on  the  beach,  and  sent  a  file 
of  men  to  capture  tlicm. 

At  night  the  Captain  felt  insecure,  and  went  to  provide  a  boat  in 
tease  of  danger.  Mr.  Shallcross  was  in  bed  in  a  shed-room  on  the 
wround  floor,  easy  of- egress,  and  the  Captain  returned  at  midnight 
lud  saw  that  all  was  not  right.  But  he  soon  heard  much  noise  and 
merriment,  for  the  loyalists  were  rejoicing  at  their  project,  being,  as 
they  thought,  sure  of  capturing  two  notoricjus  rebels. 

Captain  Montgomery  cautiously  opened  the  window,  an<l  dragging 
his  friend  out  of  bed,  with  his  clothes  on  his  arm,  both  ran,  and  jump, 
ing  into  the  boat  pushed  off*. 

It  was  soon  known  that  the  rebels  had  fled.  Just  as  the  boat  was 
■loosed  from  the  moorings,  the  soldiers  pursued  and  kept  up  a  constant 


160  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

firing  of  musketry  from  the  beach.  With  the  balls  whistling  around 
them  they  rowed  for  life,  expecting  every  moment  to  be  shot.  Although 
they  escaped  unhurt,  it  was  an  alarming  adventure. 

Their  pursuers,  not  being  aware  so  much  valuable  proi:»erty  was 
within  their  grasp,  returned  to  their  camp.  The  rebels  resumed  their 
work,  and  soon  refilled  the  vessel,  with  the  assistance  of  two  experi- 
enced carpenters  from  Wilmington,  Barney  Harris  and  William  Wood- 
cock, who  united  to  hasten  the  work,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
her  land  her  cargo  in  good  order  at  the  wharf 

This  enterprise  was  thought  an  extraordinary  feat.  W.  Woodcock 
lived  to  old  age,  much  respected,  and  at  eighty  years  of  age,  in  full 
possession  of  his  faculties,  and  without  glasses,  gave  his  testimony  in 
writing  relative  to  the  explosion  of  the^Nancy. 

Few  of  the  present  generation  know  how  conspicuous  a  part  Wil- 
mington bore  in  the  Kevolution,  therefore  it  affords  me  pleasure  to 
give  all  the  information  the  chamber  of  my  memory  retains. 

Near  the  time  of  this  event,  Mrs.  Phillips,  a  married  daughter  of 
Mr.  Tucker,  fled  to  her  father's  for  safety.  She  arrived  late  in  the 
evening  fatigued,  and  was  put  into  this  shed-room  with  her  infant  to 
lodge.  Everything  was  in  disorder,  and  the  furniture  had  been  sent 
away.  No  candlestick  was  at  hand,  and  she  looked  around  for  a  place 
to  fix  her  light.  She  saw  some  kegs  in  a  corner,  one  with  a  hole  in 
the  top.  Here  she  secured  her  candle,  and  being  overcome  with  fa- 
tigue, forgot  to  extinguish  her  light. 

Next  morning  she  found  to  her  great  horror  that  these  kegs  were 
full  of  powder,  left  here  from  the  brig,  because  they  dared  not  return 
for  them.     Providentially  the  light  soon  went  out. 

Mrs.  Phillips  was  our  neighbor  for  years,  and  often  spoke  feelingly 
of  this  merciful  preservation.  Her  husband,  Capt.  Phillips,  was  a 
respectable  pilot,  and  sailed  many  vessels  out  of  this  harbor.  He  and 
his  son,  a  youth,  were  lost  at  the  same  time  during  a  violent  storm 
near  the  Capes  in  March,  1794.  They  were  on  board  different  vessels. 
I  believe  four  brigs  from  this  port  went  to  sea  the  same  day,  and  not 
a  plank  was  ever  seen  by  which  to  guess  their  fate,  nor  was  there  a 
soul  spared  to  tell  the  sad  story. 


CHAPTEE    XIV. 

A  Swedish  Minister — Catastroplie — Capt.  H.  Geddes — Shipwreck — A  Singular 
Incident— Solemn  Reflections— Capt.  S.  Lovering— ]^Ir.  A  ,  a  British  Agent 
— Adventures  of  a  Lady — Anecdote  of  a  Sailor— Algeriues— Captures- 
Cruelties— Bondage— Prisoners  Ransomed — Arrival— Capt.  Penrose — His 
Stoiy — Remarks  on  their  Character. 

As  we  narrate  ocean  scenes,  glimpses  of  olden  times  revive  in  our 
memory  many  disastrous  events,  which  were  listened  to  in  childhood 
and  made  an  impression  never  to  be  forgotten,  no,  never ;  and  one  is 
now  presented,  the  story  of  a  Swedish  family,  which,  though  not  be- 
longing properly  to  our  reminiscences,  we  will  relate. 

A  minister,  who  often  officiated  at  the  Swedish  Church,  and  some 
of  his  wife's  relatives,  were  the  early  colonists  here.  In  troublous 
times,  the  Rev.  Andreas  Georgeson  was  Rector  of  Wicaco  Church, 
and  after  a  long  illness  became  insane.  Every  means  of  restoration 
failed.  By  the  advice  of  friends,  a  way  was  provided  for  his  return 
to  Sweden. 

So  soon  after  the  war,  many  obstacles  were  to  be  met  in  this  long 
voyage,  and  his  wife's  relatives  and  friends  prevailed  on  her  to  wait 
here  until  she  heard  how  crossing  the  ocean  affected  his  mind.  Hav- 
ing two  young  children,  she  acquiesced,  and  in  due  time  the  joyful 
news  came  that  he  was  landed  safe  in  his  native  country  with  a  sound 
mind,  and  became  permanently  settled. 

His  dread  of  the  tempestuous  sea  separated  him  from  his  family 
for  some  time.  A  relative  of  his  wife  accompanied  her  to  London, 
where  she  was  resigned  to  a  friend,  who  was  to  convey  her  to  Stock- 
holm with  her  children,  a  daughter  twelve  years  of  age,  and  a  son 
younger. 

Her  sister  in  Philadelphia  received  a  letter  from  her  dated  Lon- 
don, in  which  she  expressed  her  ardent  gratitude  to  her  Heavenly 
Father  for  her  safe  guidance  across  the  ocean,  and  for  her  kind  recep- 
tion by  the  friends  of  her  husband,  and  a  second  also  dated  on  her 
embarkation  for  Sweden.  In  this  the  anticipation  of  a  family  meeting 
seemed  to  cast  away  all  fear  of  the  stormy  sea.  A  strange  land  and 
distance  from  affectionate  relatives  claimed  not  a  passing  sigh  ;  all 
was  absorbed  in  this  one  desired  event. 
21  161 


162  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Pleasant  weather  aud  a  prosperous  voyage  had  brought  them  within 
a  few  hours'  sail  of  their  destined  haven.  The  day  was  fine,  and  all 
hearts  were  sanguine  with  hope.  The  lady  had  been  brouglit  on  deck 
to  view  the  promised  land  of  her  future  abiding  place.  The  ship 
under  full  sail  struck  on  a  rock,  aud  beat  so  violently  they  feared  it 
would  rend  in  pieces. 

Amidst  the  alarm  aud  frantic  terror,  Mrs.  G.  most  imploringly 
entreated  the  captain  to  put  her  and  her  family  in  the  long  boat.  He 
at  length  reluctantly  yielded,  and  her  protector,  with  the  mate  and 
two  sailors,  went  into  the  boat.  When  a  few  yards  from  the  ship, 
those  on  board  witnessed  the  mournful  catastrophe.  The  boat  struck 
a  rock,  turned  and  sank.  In  an  instant  every  soul  perished,  but  the 
ship  arrived  safe  at  Stockholm. 

Mr.  G.,  amidst  the  state  of  excitement,  went  on  board  to  meet  his 
beloved  family.  When  the  sad  news  was  communicated  of  the  fate 
of  those  dearest  to  him  on  earth,  whose  absence  was  so  long  lamented, 
and  but  a  little  time  ago  almost  within  his  embrace  glowing  with  life 
aud  joyous  hope,  he  swooned  away,  and  his  reason  fled  it  was  feared 
forever. 

"  Farewell,  my  best  beloved,  whose  heavenly  micd, 
Affection,  virtue,  strength  with  softness  joined, 
And  I— but,  ah!  can  words  my  loss  declare, 
Or  paint  the  extremes  of  transport  and  despair  ? 
Oh,  thou,  beyond  what  verse  or  speech  can  tell, 
My  guide,  my  friend,  my  best  beloved,  farewell!" 

All  our  sketches  of  ocean  scenes,  with  the  exception  of  the  pre- 
ceding, relate  to  persons  sailing  from  this  port,  or  living  here  at  some 
period. 

Capt.  Henry  Geddes,  a  native  of  Dublin,  and  for  some  years  a 
midshipman  in  the  British  navy,  landed  in  Wilmington  in  1775, 
joined  Col.  Duflf's  regiment,  and  served  for  some  time.  His  preference 
for  the  sea  induced  him  again  to  brave  its  perils. 

In  after  years  he  commanded  the  sloop-of-war  Patapsco,  and  died 
in  his  eighty-fourth  year,  near  his  adopted  home.  It  might  be  said 
of  him  as  of  Moses,  "  his  eye  was  not  dim  nor  his  natural  force 
abated."  His  last  earthly  resting-place  is  the  old  Presbyterian  cem- 
etery. 

Through  many  perilous  scenes  he  barely  escaped,  and  a  cheerful 
temperament  buoyed  him  up  amid  danger.  In  1778  his  vessel  was 
overset  at  sea,  and  twelve  people  were  saved  in  a  boat.     For  seventeen 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  163 

days  they  were  without  provisions  or  water,  except  twenty  pounds  of 
damaged  flour  and  a  dog.  Five  souls  perished  with  hunger  and  thirst, 
for  the  inhuman  act  of  drawing  lots  to  take  life  was  not  conceived, 
when  a  brig  bound  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  relieved  them. 

In  1779  again  his  ship  was  wrecked,  and  himself  and  crew  made 
a  hair-breadth  escape. 

Years  after,  when  in  a  new  ship  bound  for  Dublin,  he  was  driven 
by  a  violent  storm  into  the  Irish  channel,  and  Avrecked  near  "White 
Haven,  where  relief  and  all  necessary  assistance  were  rendered. 
Among  the  most  active  in  saving  valuables  was  a  young  man  with  a 
wheelbarrow.  In  time  the  ship  was  refitted,  and  performed  her 
voyage. 

A  young  girl  was  sent  for  by  her  brother,  who  lived  in  Alexan- 
dria, and  was  placed  as  a  passenger  under  the  captain's  care  in  Dublin, 
and  while  waiting  for  a  safe  conveyance  was  entertained  at  his  house  ; 
this  kindness  was  gratefully  acknowledged. 

Years  glided  on,  when  she  was  traveling  north  with  her  husband, 
and  called  to  pay  her  respects  to  the  captain,  and  introduced  her  com- 
panion, who  immediately  made  himself  known  as  the  young  man  so 
busy  with  his  barrow  at  White  Haven,  now  a  respectable  merchant  in 
Alexandria.  "  Thrice  I  suffered  shipwreck,  a  day  and  a  night  have  I 
been  in  the  deep,  in  perils  on  the  sea,  in  weariness  and  painfulness,  in 
watching  often,  m  hunger  and  thirst,  in  fostings  often,  and  in  cold." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  his  thoughts  arising  from  his 
great  preservation : — 

"Oh,  thou  most  merciful  and  all  pow'erful  God,  suffer  me  to  ap- 
proach thee  with  reverential  awe  and  perfect  thankfulness  for  thy 
singular  favor  showed  in  that  most  extraordinary  deliverance,  experi- 
enced after  seventeen  days'  exposure  to  the  raging  of  the  sea,  with 
eleven  unhappy  companions,  five  of  whom  perished  in  a  boat  of 
fourteen  feet,  where  there  was  no  eye  to  see,  no  hand  to  help,  no  heart 
to  pity.  Every  moment  we  expected  to  perish  iu  the  enraged  element, 
suffering  the  most  excruciating  pains  of  huiiger  and  thirst. 

"Thou  Omnipotent  Being,  thou  saw,  thou  relieved  us.  Oh,  may 
my  spared  life  be  devoted  to  thy  service.  Let  it  not  be  my  condem- 
nation that  those  days  were  given  only  to  fill  up  the  measure  of  my 
iniquity.  But  may  I,  through  the  assistance  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
spend  the  remainder  of  my  life  as  one  who  has  received  an  accession 
of  years  through  the  infinite  goodness  and  compassionate  love  of  the 
most  Holy  God.     In  this  great  and  and  arduous  work,  I  pray  for  thy 


164       •       Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

help;  of  myself  I  am  insufficient,  being  naturally  prone  to  lin  as 
sparks  fly  upwards.  Therefore  of  myself  I  have  no  merit,  but  thou 
who  knowest  the  weakness  and  impurities  of  my  heart,  assist  me,  as 
thou  didst  once  from  the  dangers  of  the  sea,  to  escape  the  infinitely 
greater  danger  of  eternal  destruction. 

"Suffer  me,  oh  Lord,  to  lay  my  trust  on  one  almighty  to  save, 
even  on  thy  only  Sou,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  On  his  mediation 
I  depend  ;  on  the  merits  of  his  death  and  suffering  I  place  all  my 
hopes  of  eternal  happiness.  Oh,  Heavenly  Father,  guard  me  from 
all  temptations  that  may  interrupt  this  design,  and  to  thy  name  be 
honor,  glory,  and  praise,  through  the  endless  ages  of  eternity. 

"  July  17,  78.  HENRY  GEDDES." 

Near  the  close  of  the  last  century.  Captain  Samuel  Lnvering,  who 
was  a  native  of  Boston,  sailed  from  this  port  at  the  age  of  seventeen ; 
he  entered  the  army  at  Boston,  and  being  taken  prisoner  by  the 
English  was  confined  six  months  in  the  old  Jersey  prison  ship,  where 
so  many  of  the  youths  of  our  country  fell  victims  to  disease  and  cruel 
treatment.  He  was  graciously  spared  to  reach  his  birthplace,  Boston, 
where  from  his  skeleton  form  and  tattered  outer  garments  he  was  not 
recognized  by  his  fond  mother. 

When  he  recovered  strength,  he  preferred  a  life  on  the  ocean,  and 
Wilmington  became  his  abiding  place.  Here  he  married  a  most  esti- 
mable young  lady,  daughter  of  Joseph  Shallcross,  Esq.,  in  whose  em- 
ploy he  sailed.  During  the  troublous  times  of  the  subsequent  Euro- 
pean war  in  San  Domingo,  he  and  his  crew  were  pressed  by  the  French 
commander  to  aid  in  quelling  the  insurrection  there.  He  was  detained 
six  months  in  actual  service,  enduring  perils  and  hardships. 

After  returning  home  safe  in  the  prime  of  life,  disease  by  slow  steps 
warned  him — "  Set  thine  house  in  order,  for  thou  shalt  die."  With 
resignation  he  bowed  to  the  afflictive  decree,  leaving  a  heart-stricken 
widow  and  three  children  of  too  tender  an  age  to  estimate  their  loss, 
and  their  numerous  friends  sympathized  in  his  premature  departure. 

In  1793,  when  the  yellow  fever  first  visited  Philadelphia,  many  of 
their  vessels  entered  this  port,  and  others  landed  passengers  from 
ships  anchored  in  the  Delaware  opposite  the  town.  From  the  ship 
William  Penn,  Captain  Josiah,  was  landed  an  English  agent,  his  wife 
and  two  children. 

At  sea  this  ship,  in  the  midst  of  a  terrific  storm,  was  struck  by 
lightning,  and  having  also  aquafortis  on  board,  she  was  found  to  be 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  165 

on  fire,  which  continued  for  five  hours.  In  this  scene  of  terror  the 
passengers  were  brought  on  deck,  where  they  were  fastened  to  prevent 
the  raging  billows  from  sweeping  them  into  the  deep.  The  flashes  of 
lightning  and  flames  were  so  dazzling  as  almost  to  cause  blindness, 
and  they  were  in  momentary  fear  of  being  enveloped  in  flames  or 
engulfed  iu  the  fathomless  ocean. 

By  their  severe  labor  the  officers  had  been  disabled  from  perform- 
ing their  duty.  One  of  them  had  a  spike  run  through  his  hand. 
Through  the  efforts  of  four  energetic  and  faithful  seamen  guided  by 
an  overruling  Providence,  this  awful  fire  was  extinguished  and  their 
lives  spared  through  the  storm. 

A  lady  passenger  in  frantic  despair  made  a  rash  vow  that  if  the 
Almighty  Disposer  of  events  in  mercy  would  spare  her  life  to  land 
even  on  a  desolate  island,  there  should  the  remnant  of  her  days  be 
spent,     Nothing  would  tempt  her  again  to  cross  the  Avater. 

This  lady  had  embarked  from  England  with  her  husband  and  two 
children  under  very  peculiar  circumstances,  so  as  to  form  quite  an 
event  iu  our  narrative. 

Her  husband  was  an  agent  for  houses  abroad,  and  was  a  man  re- 
markably handsome  and  courteous  iu  his  manner;  he  was  esteemed 
by  his  new  acquaintances  as  a  worthy  man :  but  when  in  England  an 
ample  fortune  had  been  wrecked  by  him  in  the  destructive  vice  of 
gambling. 

At  last,  gathering  up  the  broken  fragments,  a  new  home  was 
sought  in  a  strange  land,  and  he,  too,  iu  remorse  and  despair  at  be- 
holding his  wife's  fortune  dwindled  to  a  mere  pittance  and  his  means 
of  living  gone,  made  a  vow  to  forsake  the  errors  of  his  way,  and 
every  companion  who  could  entice  him  to  pursue  such  practices ;  if 
the  wife  of  his  choice  would  consent  to  leave  her  native  land  and 
beloved  relatives  and  follow  ^  him  to  seek  a  place  where  he  could 
engage  in  lawful  business,  his  leisure  hours  should  be  devoted  to  his 
family. 

Contrary  to  the  advice  of  her  best  friends,  with  perfect  confidence 
in  his  sincerity,  however  painful  the  trial,  she  deemed  it  her  duty,  aud 
promptly  acceded  to  his  wishes. 

When  the  pestilence  disappeared  and  business  revived,  Philadel- 
phia was  their  adopted  home,  and  they  suited  their  style  of  living  to 
their  income.  Once  more  happiness  smiled  upon  her.  A  husband's 
devoted  attention,  added  to  his  reformed  views  and  exemplary  con- 
duct, was  ample  reward  for  the  sacrifices  she  had  made.  To  attain 
21* 


166  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

domestic  felicity  she  had  abandoned  rich  and  noble  relatives ;  poverty 
and  its  attendant  privation  were  borne  without  a  murmur. 

The  change  was  equally  grateful  to  his  own  feelings,  and  he  often 
expressed  his  gratitude  at  his  escape  from  the  verge  of  ruin.  In  a 
few  months  a  prosperous  business,  with  health  and  happiness  to  enjoy 
it,  seemed  his  future  portion. 

Anxious  relatives  were  impatient  to  hear  of  Mrs.  A.'s  fate,  and  she 
wrote  to  them,  portraying  her  bright  prospects ;  that  she  was  indeed 
living  in  a  new  world,  and  did  not  dare  even  to  lament  her  separation 
from  the  friends  so  much  beloved.  But,  ah  !  how  uncertain  are  earthly 
expectations!  Ere  this  letter  filled  with  so  joyous  a  theme,  reached 
its  destination,  that  rejoicing  heart  was  again  clouded  in  sorrow,  and 
she  felt  how  evanescent  were  her  felicitous  moments. 

This  apparently  strong-minded  man,  possessing  such  talents  for 
business,  with  deep  conviction  of  the  evil,  when  assailed  by  tempta- 
tion, had  again  fallen. 

A  few  of  those  sharpers  had  attacked  his  weak  point,  invading  him 
in  an  unguarded  hour,  and  filched  him  of  his  last  dollar.  His  wife's 
timely  remittances  alone  saved  them  from  absolute  poverty,  or  de- 
pendence on  newly-made  friends. 

In  tears  and  sighs  this  unfortunate  lady  bemoaned  the  sad  and 
sudden  reverse.  She  felt  that  no  country  was  free  from  this  bane.  No 
sooner  was  access  gained  to  his  house,  than  it  was  assailed  night  and 
day  by  men  whom  she  compared  to  the  monsters  of  the  deep,  following 
the  wake  of  a  ship  ready  to  pounce  upon  any  victim  which  might  fall 
as  their  prey.  Without  resources  to  sustain  his  family,  conscience 
doomed  him  to  sleepless  nights. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  neither  her  devotion  to  him  nor  re- 
monstrances availed  anything.-  An  Omnipotent  hand  alone  could 
check  this  propensity.  Id  this  sad  dilemma  her  only  course  seemed 
to  be  to  forego  this  rash  vow,  and  once  more  to  cross  the  tempestuous 
ocean  to  her  native  land,  and  leave  him  to  pursue  his  own  course — 
neither  her  persuasions  nor  reproaches  should  molest  liim  thereafter. 

They  embarked  at  New  Castle,  in  the  ship  Wilmington.  The  four 
old  sailors  we  noticed  in  the  storm  were  there,  and  reminded  her  of 
the  rash  vow  by  expressing  surprise  to  see  her  on  shipboard  after  form- 
ing such  resolutions.  It  was  &  touching  rebuke,  and  she  candidly 
owned  her  error  with  such  feelings  as  to  cause  the  tears  to  flo^v  freely 
from  those  rugged  tars. 

A  speedy  voyage  brought  her  safely  to  her  affectionate  friends 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  167 

The  unhappy  liusband  returned  a  second  and  third  time,  and  the  last 
sad  remembrance  of  him  was  related  in  our  presence  by  a  distinguished 
gentleman  from  Philadelphia,  Joseph  Taggart,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Bank. 

On  the  eve  of  embarking  for  England,  with  a  large  sum  in  his  pos- 
session, he  was  beset  by  a  gang  of  gamblers,  whom  it  seemed  he  had 
not  the  power  to  resist,  although  he  was  sure  to  be  the  loser.  His  loss 
that  night  at  the  billiard  table  was  seventeen  hundred  dollars,  and  he 
was  left  distracted  by  remorse.  This  affecting  story  is  no  imaginary 
picture ;  it  is  too  true — the  life  of  an  interesting  man  a  slave  to  one 
vice  which  proved  his  ruin. 

The  same  painful  epidemic  of  1793  induced  another  English  gen- 
tleman to  sojourn  here,  where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  many  of 
our  respectable  townsmen.  In  after  years  he  resided  in  Batavia  as 
British  consul.  There  he  married  an  accomplished  lady,  and  secured 
a  handsome  fortune. 

After  making  the  tour  of  Europe,  he  settled  in  London,  when  un- 
toward events  reduced  his  means  to  a  slender  income,  and  memory 
brought  to  his  recollection  this  little  spot,  where  he  had  passed  so 
many  pleasant  hours,  and  now  concluded  it  would  be  a  desirable  place 
for  him  and  his  wife  to  reside  on  his  limited  income. 

They  came,  and  were  soon  settled,  as  they  thought,  in  a  permanent 
home.  This  lady  possessed  numerous  curiosities  collected  in  foreign 
climes,  and  many  of  her  own  sketches  from  scenery  and  views  of  cas- 
tles, all  executed  with  taste. 

Her  life  was  filled  with  adventures,  and  especially  diversified  scenes 
on  the  ocean  were  very  interesting,  she  having  crossed  the  Atlantic 
six  times,  and  the  equator  four,  and  was  once  on  board  a  ship  burned 
to  the  water's  edge.  In  their  greatest  extremity  a  frigate  relieved 
them,  but  bore  them  far  from  their  destination. 

On  another  occasion,  the  ship  was  wrecked  in  a  terrific  storm,  and 
lay  eight  days  on  her  beam-ends.  Several  persons  were  dashed  into 
the  angry  ocean,  and  some  perished  by  hunger  and  fatigue,  while  the 
survivors,  conscious  that  a  few  hours  must  terminate  their  earthly  ex- 
istence and  consign  their  mortal  part  to  a  watery  grave,  they  awaited 
their  doom  in  despair.  In  this  state,  an  English  East  Indiaman  came 
to  their  rescue,  and  found  only  ten  living. 

By  humane  and  judicious  treatment  they  were  soon  restored.  In- 
stead of  Havre  they  landed  at  Calcutta,  and  her  determination  waa 
never  again  to  venture  on  the  ocean. 


168  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Yet  after  being  settled  here  for  a  short  time,  news  from  London 
assured  Mr.  Einsley  of  a  large  sum  of  money,  which  could  be  recovered 
were  he  on  the  spot  to  attend  to  it,  and  this  once  more  allured  them 
to  cross  the  billows,  and  see  the  works  of  the  Lord.  "  He  commandeth 
and  raiseth  the  stormy  wind." 

An  anecdote  of  a  sailor,  though  it  sounds  like  romance,  is  from  a 
well  authenticated  source,  and  may  add  variety  to  our  narrative. 

After  the  peace  of  1783,  the  sailor  left  this  port  bound  for  the 
West  Indies.  Time  passed,  and  the  brig  was  not  heard  from.  The 
owners  feared  she  was  lost,  and  withheld  the  usual  pittance  allowed 
to  sailors'  wives.  The  wife  of  this  one  gave  up  her  house,  and  rented 
a  room  in  French  street  near  Sixth.  Hope  of  her  husband's  return 
had  nearly  vanished,  when  on  a  stormy  night,  about  nine  o'clock,  this 
brig  arrived  at  the  wharf,  and  our  sailor  had  leave  to  go  on  shore. 

At  his  late  dwelling  he  was  informed  where  his  wife  lived ;  his 
acquaintance  with  the  town  led  him  to  the  spot.  As  he  ascended  an 
abrupt  hill  on  the  way,  which  was  made  slippery  by  rain,  he  fell, 
rolled  down,  and  was  covered  with  mud. 

Having  dressed  himself  neatly  to  meet  his  wife,  he  was  sorry  to  be 
in  such  a  plight,  and  recollecting  the  draw-well  in  front  of  the  house, 
he  aimed  for  it.  Lifting  a  heavy  lid  which  covered  it,  some  part 
broke,  and  in  he  went,  with  a  piece  of  the  windlass,  and  the  lid  came 
down  closing  him  in  the  well. 

In  this  sad  predicament,  at  his  wit's  end  for  a  way  to  escape,  but 
being  nimble  in  the  heels,  he  scrambled  up  the  wall,  and  when  at  the 
top  was  so  exhausted  that  he  was  unable  to  lift  the  heavy  cover,  and 
called  aloud  for  help. 

The  old  lady  below  was  awakened  by  the  noise,  and  knew  the 
sound  came  fro'u  the  well.  His  wife  up  stairs  had  just  extinguished 
her  light,  and  ran  down  alarmed;  her  hostess,  placing  a  caudle  in  her 
lantern,  assured  her  some  one  was  in  the  well,  and  would  perish  with- 
out instant  relief. 

These  women  were  very  superstitious.  As  the  wife  approached, 
the  sailor  by  a  mighty  effort  had  raised  the  cover,  and  dripping  wet 
was  ascending,  when  she  recognized  him ;  in  terror  she  dashed  away 
her  lantern,  ran  in  screaming,  and  most  positively  asserted  that  the 
ghost  of  her  husband  had  appeared. 

The  old  lady  firmly  believed  it,  for  she  had  seen  strange  things 
herself;  besides,  the  fact  of  his  coming  out  of  the  water  proved  he  had 
been  drowned  in  the  deep,  and  thus  it  was  manifest  to  her  senses. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  169 

Their  fears  were  awfully  aroused  by  the  darkness,  and  they  screamed 
aloud. 

The  neighbors  were  alarmed,  but  were  unwilling  to  meet  the  ghost, 
though  the}  heard  the  noise.  However,  the  poor  wet  sailor  groped 
his  way  through  the  dark  passage,  and  affirmed  that  he  was  no  ghost 
but  her  long  absent  husband,  French  Kellum.  This  was  hard  to 
believe. 

Succeeding  the  Revolution,  our  commerce  was  for  years  intercepted 
by  the  Algerines.  No  American  vessel  «ould  near  the  Straits  of  Gib- 
raltar without  a  Mediterranean  pass,  otherwise  they  were  captured 
and  the  crew  enslaved.  Many  of  our  countrymen  were  there  in  cruel 
bondage  for  years.  This  pass  was  a  ship  painted  on  parchment  and 
cut  in  two  parts ;  the  Algerines  held  one-half,  the  purchaser  the  other. 
When  boarded  by  them  it  was  brought  forward  and  must  fit  exactly. 

A  tribute  was  annually  paid  by  our  Government  to  the  Algerines 
for  permission  to  navigate  the  Mediterranean,  which  was  an  expensive 
security,  and  Government  at  length  aroused  from  their  apathy  and 
ransomed  their  subjects.  Ships  loaded  with  valuables  were  sent  as 
presents  to  the  Dey.  Captain  Geddes  was  one  of  those  to  whom  this 
trust  was  consigned ;  and  after  performing  his  duty,  he  arrived  at  the 
wharves  with  a  few  of  the  prisoners,  among  whom  was  Capt.  Penrose, 
who  had  been  commander  of  the  ship  President,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
who  hud  been  kept  in  captivity  for  years. 

Although  half  a  century  has  glided  over  us,  memory  renews  its 
freshness  as  we  wander  back  to  the  time  when  we  listened  to  the  nar- 
ration of  Captain  Penrose,  and  recollect  with  what  intense  feeling  he 
spoke  of  their  hardships,  and  how  excited  we  were  to  hear  about  their 
capture — arrival  in  Algiers — presentation  to  the  Dey — being  chained 
— sold  in  the  market — treatment — news  of  their  ransom  and  final 
release. 

My  description  will  make  but  a  faint  impression  on  your  minds 
compared  with  that  made  on  mine.  In  my  case,  the  narrator  was  a 
sufferer  just  returned  to  his  native  land  and  to  the  society  of  an  affec- 
tionate wife — a  happiness  he  had  long  despaired  of  enjoying,  and  she 
felt  as  if  one  had  risen  from  the  dead. 

His  sad,  haggard  countenance,  tall,  slender,  and  emaciated  form, 
bowed  down  by  grief,  made  all  feel  that  he  was  scarcely  an  earthly 
being.  His  deep  sympathy  for  his  companions,  whose  hardships  had 
been  still  more  severe  than  his  own,  and  his  great  efibrt  to  su])press 
feeling  while  relating  those  scenes,  cannot  be  accurately  detailed. 
22 


170  Reminiscences  of  Wilmij^oton. 

Death  soon  released  many  captives.  There  was  one  reason  why 
we  were  more  susceptible  on  this  point ;  it  was  the  daily  theme  of  con- 
versation familiar  to  our  youthful  ear.  p]xample  taught  us  to  think, 
talk,  and  weej)  over  their  hard  fate  ;  every  heart  warmed  with  the  love 
of  our  country  had  become  interested  in  their  cause;  amidst  this  ex- 
citement, they  returned  here  to  relate  their  mournful  adventures,  and 
bid  us  rejoice  at  their  escape. 

On  being  boarded  by  the  crew  of  the  Corsair,  an  intense  feeling 
piei'ced  each  heart  as  though  a  death  warrant  was  presented  in  its 
most  dreaded  form  ;  their  doom  was  irretrievable.  At  Algiers  they 
were  handcuffed,  chained  by  the  leg,  two  together,  driven  to  the  Dey's 
stable,  and  placed  with  horses  to  await  his  mightiness'  orders,  for 
above  two  hours. 

After  separating  their  chains  and  conducting  them  through  a  dark 
passage,  up  many  steps  to  an  opening,  where  they  were  obliged  to 
take  off  their  shoes  and  crawl  on  their  knees  through  an  aperture,  and 
remained  in  this  position  until  the  Dey,  who  was  seated  on  a  magnifi- 
cent couch,  was  pleased  to  address  them  when  on  their  knees. 

He  reproached  the  Government  harshly  for  allowing  its  subjects 
to  remain  in  bondage.  Ho  said  it  was  disgraceful.  "  Who  is  your 
king  or  president,  or  the  man  you  call  great,  who  rules  your  country, 
and  leaves  you  my  slaves?  Away  with  them  to  the  market-place,  and 
sell  them  to  the  highest  bidder ;  tell  him  I  do  not  need  your  services." 
They  wei'e  then  driven  from  the  place  as  they  came.  Happily  for 
Capt.  Penrose,  he  was  sold  to  a  ship-builder,  and  they  were  fitting  out- 
a  fleet.  He  embraced  the  earliest  chance  to  disclose  his  aptness  in 
sail-making,  a  business  so  important  to  them  that  he  had  constant  em- 
ploy, where  he  was  shielded  from  the  scorching  sun. 

Capt.  O'Brien  had  been  sold  on  his  arrival  to  a  high  officer,  and 
he  had  charge  of  a  huge  mastiff,  to  feed  him  well  and  keep  his  house 
clean.  He  was  most  peremptorily  ordered  not  to  let  him  bark  at 
visitors,  an  offence  in  his  keeper  which  would  insure  severe  chastise- 
ment. 

For  a  time  things  went  on  so  easily  that  the  Captain  consoled  him- 
self that  if  his  post  was  not  the  most  honorable,  his  duty  w^as  not  hard. 
Besides,  he  was  well  fed,  for  the  dog's  food  was  excellent  and  abun- 
dant, and  he  partook  with  him,  otherwise,  as  the  rest  of  the  slaves,  he 
was  on  short  allowance. 

However,  the  memorable  day  came.  This  pampered  animal  chose 
to  amuse  himself  by  barking  at  one  of  the  Dey's  life-guards.     His 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  171 

keeper  was  reprimanded,  and  sentenced  to  hard  labor  for  one  month, 
to  carry  stones  down  a  steep  hill  and  throw  them  into  the  sea. 

This  was  a  regular  employment  for  the  slaves;  it  was  done  to  pre- 
vent the  earth  from  being  washed  away  at  the  shore,  from  the  low 
part  of  the  city.  They  never  thought  of  building  a  permanent  wall, 
but  kept  the  slaves  engaged  in  the  laborious  work  which  was  never 
finished,  though  it  had  caused  death  to  so  many. 

If  one  flinched  on  lifting  these  heavy  stones,  an  overseer  was  ready 
to  give  him  so  many  lashes,  and  this  cruel  labor  was  performed  under 
a  scorching  sun.  The  month  passed,  and  Capt.  O'Brien  was  reinstated. 
He  was  in  captivity  nine  years. 

Sometimes  their  labor  was  like  beasts  of  burden,  yoked  to  carts, 
and  though  a  little  varied,  it  was  also  grievous,  and  the  shortest  inter- 
mission was  a  valued  favor.  Twilight  closed  the  business  of  the  day. 
Early  in  the  morning  their  fare  was  coarse  bread  and  water;  this  sus- 
tained them  during  their  working  hours.,  and  in  the  evening  they  were 
driven  back  to  their  hovel. 

Near  this  place,  a  scanty  supper  of  some  kind  of  slops  was  provided, 
and  when  eaten,  they  were  penned  in  for  the  night  to  lie  on  an  earthen 
floor  or  stones  covered  with  straw. 

Exhausted  by  fatigue,  at  times  almost  famished  with  hunger  and 
infested  by  all  sorts  of  vermin,  weariness  alone  could  induce  momen- 
tary repose.  Their  physical  strength  gave  way  and  their  minds  were 
weakened.  They  would  weep  for  food  and  want  of  sleep  like  children. 
Country  and  friends  had  long  been  given  up  in  despair,  and  death  was 
hailed  as  a  welcome  messenger  by  these  poor  oppressed  Americans. 

At  this  most  distressing  crisis,  a  humane  gentleman,  the  Swedish 
consul,  came  to  their  relief  as  if  raised  up  by  an  Almighty  arm,  and 
ordered  each  one  a  bed  of  straw  placed  on  a  frame  to  avoid  vermin, 
and  gave  a  monthly  sum  to  provide  a  plentiful  supper.  His  kindness 
induced  the  cruel  masters  to  be  more  lenient. 

Feeling  they  were  cared  for,  hope  once  more  cheered  their  spirits, 
and  a  few  months  brought  the  joyful  tidings  that  the  country  had 
aroused  in  their  behalf,  and  arrangements  were  in  progress  for  their 
ransom. 

The  joy  was  too  overpowering  for  some  enfeebled  frames.  One 
fell  dead  on  hearing  the  news;  another  so  enraptured  threw  himself 
into  Captain  Penrose's  arms  and  expired.  The  sick  were  soon  conva- 
lescent, though  many  were  too  emaciated  to  cross  the  ocean,  and  never 
reached  their  homes. 


172  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Excessive  feelings  of  mingled  joy  and  sorrow  caused  some  to  fear 
lest  this  news  was  a  delusive  dream  ;  they  thought  no  such  happiness 
awaited  as  their  deliverance.  "  Grace  hath  been  showed  us  from  the 
Lord  our  God  to  leave  us  a  remnant  to  escape,  for  we  were  bondmen, 
yet  our  God  hath  not  forsaken  us,  but  hath  extended  mercy  to  us." 

Cruel  as  were  this  people,  they  possessed  traits  of  character  which 
might  be  an  example  to  many  Christians — by  their  honesty  in  dealing 
with  each  other — goods  being  exposed  in  public  warehouses,  with  the 
prices  affixed  to  each,  and  no  one  to  attend  to  the  sale.  Any  one 
might  enter,  make  choice  of  an  article,  which  they  may  take  or  leave, 
and  leave  the  price  charged  in  its  proper  place. 

Their  devotional  hours  are  strictly  observed.  Carrying  bread 
through  the  streets,  they  cry,  "  God  is  Merciful  ;  he  gives  us  bread." 
With  water  they  cry,  "  God  is  generous  ;  he  gives  us  water." 

Sending  those  men  to  them  as  consuls  who  bad  been  their  slaves 
was  thought  injudicious,  as  they  never  have  any  respect  for  those  who 
had  been  in  bondage. 


CHAPTER    XY. 

Journal— An  Ancient  Race— Dey  of  Algiers— OflBcers— Ceremony  of  Introduc- 
tion—Fast—Story of  a  Turk— Tunis— Bey's  Palace— Swedish  Consul— Orna- 
ments—Slaves— Coffee  handed— Ancient  Carthage— Canal— Pieces  of  An- 
tiquity—Bey's prediction  of  America— Costume— Adventures  of  a  Female- 
Coasting  Trade— Captain  Cuffee. 

A  FEW  sketches  from  the  journal  of  a  friend  who  transacted  busi- 
ness at  Algiers  in  1799,  between  the  Dey  and  the  United  State?,  may 
interest  you. 

"  Algiers,  Feb.  lAth.  Numbers  of  people  come  to  the  city  from  the 
mountains  belonging  to  the  Dey,  who  are  supposed  to  be  the  descend- 
ants of  Canaan,  according  to  an  inscription  on  a  stone,  at  a  fountain 
in  the  Punic  language,  '  Thus  are  w^e  fled  hither  from  the  presence  of 
that  great  robber  Joshua  the  son  of  Nun.'  Those  are  at  the  present  a 
kind  of  Christians  who  never  shave  their  heads  nor  beards,  but  who 
wear  a  cross  marked  with  blue  on  their  cheeks  by  way  of  distinction. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  173 

"  22d.  We  were  presented  to  the  Dey  and  officers  of  the  regency. 
We  passed  the  grand  gate,  lined  by  Janizaries,  and  were  conducted 
across  a  court,  and  ascended  two  flights  of  stairs  crowded  by  Christian 
slaves,  mostly  boys  richly  dressed,  who  only  pass  through  the  gates 
one  day  in  the  year,  the  first  day  after  the  annual  fast  of  Ramadan, 
and  the  first  of  the  new  moon  in  March,  the  day  of  liberty. 

"Entering  the  apartment,  the  Dey  was  seated  exactly  like  a  tailor 
at  his  work  on  a  bench  covered  with  a  rich  cloth  of  gold,  and  with 
cushions  of  green  and  gold  velvet  placed  around  him.  His  attend- 
ants, ten  in  number,  were  superbly  dressed,  two  being  old  men,  the 
others  being  Christian  boys. 

"After  taking  off  our  shoes,  a  ceremony  never  neglected,  a  Turk 
presented  us  in  rotation.  He  gave  us  his  hand,  with  an  immense  dia- 
mond on  his  finger,  to  kiss,  then  asked  a  few  foolish  questions,  and  in 
some  minutes  we  were  dismissed. 

"  He  appears  about  sixty,  a  venerable  figure  ;  a  long  gray  beard 
flows  down  his  breast.  I  am  informed  he  has  no  education,  and  can 
neither  read  nor  write.  We  were  next  presented  to  his  prime  minister 
with  the  same  ceremony. 

"  He  appeared  to  be  a  sensible,  well-informed  man,  about  sixty. 
His  apartment  was  in  the  great  court,  which  formed  a  recess  sur- 
rounded by  large  looking-glasses  and  a  prodigious  number  of  curious 
clocks,  carpets  of  the  richest  kind,  cushions,  &c.  His  secretary  sat 
with  him,  and  before  them  fine  fountains  were  playing.  We  were 
next  presented  to  the  general  of  the  horse  and  the  divan.  Coffee  was 
not  handed,  as  it  was  their  great  fast  of  Ramadan. 

''March  3cZ.  At  the  Dey's  request,  a  Turk  and  Greek  passenger 
to  Tunis  were  received.  The  former  was  a  native  of  Constantinople, 
about  fifty-five,  very  religious  and  of  gentle  manners.  He  had  been 
absent  seven  years  from  his  family,  twice  shipwrecked,  and  was  now 
on  his  way  home.  As  he  had  sufficient  property,  he  proposed  to  devote 
the  remainder  of  his  life  to  the  service  of  his  God. 

"  In  conversation,  when  occasion  required  him  to  mention  our 
blessed  Saviour,  he  always  said,  '  Jesus,  the  son  of  Mary.'  On  asking 
him  the  reason,  his  answer  was,  'that  his  religion  forbid  his  calling 
him  the  son  of  God,  and  should  he  call  him  the  son  of  any  other 
person  than  Mary  he  would  commit  sin,'  therefore  he  strove  to  avoid 
oflepding  in  citlier  by  avoiding  religious  subjects  when  he  could. 

"If  not  convinced,  he    was  well  informed  and  free  from  presump- 
tion.    Thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  and 
22* 


174  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

Jewish  ceremonies,  he  had  spent  a  long  time  at  Naples  and  Rome,  in- 
forming himself  of  their  mode  of  worship.  He  had  also  been  at 
Mecca. 

"  We  were  very  attentive  to  him,  and  endeavored  to  make  his  situ- 
ation as  comfortable  as  possible ;  he  often  expressed  a  wish  we  might 
meet  at  Constantinople,  where  he  would  convince  me  he  was  not  un- 
grateful. He  prays  much,  and  appears  to  possess  the  peace  of  mind 
of  a  person  who  had  acted  to  the  best  of  his  judgment.  For  much 
information  I  am  indebted  to  my  Turkish  companion,  who  has  taken 
his  passage  to  Smyrna. 

"  Before  we  parted  he  gave  me  his  history.  He  was  born  a  Jew 
of  the  line  of  David,  and  descended  from  Rabbis,  and  his  education 
was  well  attended  to,  as  he  was  born  of  rich  parents.  Some  time  past, 
his  ill  star  led  him  into  the  house  of  an  Aga  or  Turkish  general. 

"  Being  seen,  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  brought  to  the  Dey  of 
Algiers,  where  he  was  condemned  to  be  burned  alive  or  immediately 
change  his  faith.  For  a  time  he  was  undetermined,  but  the  desire  of 
life  prevailed,  which  he  purchased  with  his  apostacy  ;  and  from  that 
moment  life  has  not  been  worth  preserving.  He  hopes  the  God  of  his 
fathers,  who  knows  his  heart,  will  forgive  him,  but  he  can  never  for- 
give himself  This  has  been  the  cause  of  his  long  rambles  from  home. 
To  use  his  own  words,  '  I  tremble  at  the  thought  of  meeting  my 
family.' " 

As  the  preceding  story  interested  me,  I  took  it  from  two  places  in 
the  journal,  which  will  explain  the  following  dates.  The  Greek  was 
a  redeemed  slave,  with  nothing  remarkable  in  his  character. 

"  March  \Aih.  Went  on  shore  at  Tunis,  and  the  next  day  went  to 
Barda,  the  Bey's  palace,  about  four  miles  from  Tunis.  We  passed  an 
aqueduct  which  conveys  water  to  a  castle  situated  on  a  high  hill  near 
Barda.  The  palace  is  of  very  great  extent,  surrounded  by  a  vast 
ditch  and  wall  of  no  great  strength,  except  to  repel  the  Tartars.  En- 
tering the  great  court  we  passed  four  gates,  each  guarded.  Ai rived  at 
the  last  we  left  our  post-chaise,  politely  sent  us  by  the  Swedish  consul. 

This  gentleman  had  charge  of  American  affairs. 

"Next  we  passed  three  courts  filled  with  guards — Turks;  then  the 
great  court,  carrying  our  hats  in  our  hands,  for  no  one  was  allowed 
to  go  through  covered.  Here  a  difficulty  arose.  We  had  come  in 
boots,  and  the  Bey  admitted  no  one  booted,  except  commandants. 
Even  for  one,  mats  must  be  spread  over  his  carpets. 

"  After  spending  an  hour  it  was  concluded  yellow  slippers  should 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  175 

be  provided.  Thus  equipped,  we  marched  across  the  court  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  feet  square,  with  a  fine  piazza  supported  by  marble 
pillars,  and  a  superb  fountain  in  the  centre  of  a  marble  pavement. 

"Two  dragomen  led  the  way,  and  I  followed.     Next  Mr. .     In 

this  manner  we  ascended  a  flight  of  at  least  one  hundred  steps,  which 
brought  us  to  a  grand  saloon,  where  we  met  about  sixty  slaves,  dressed 
superbly  ;  from  this  we  passed  into  a  large  hall,  where  thirty  renegades 
wore  arms  and  sables.  Here  were  a  number  of  Christian  boys,  slaves, 
handsomely  dressed  in  uniform,  and  extremely  clean. 

"  During  this  time  a  profound  silence  was  observed,  no  one  daring 
to  speak  above  his  breath,  insomuch  you  could  distinctly  hear  the 
ticking  of  clocks,  and  watches,  which  were  very  numerous  along  the 
walls.     Many  are  extremely  elegant,  set  with  rubies  and  diamonds. 

"In  the  same  order  we  entered  the  Bey's  apartment,  which  ap- 
peared like  a  guard-house  placed  in  a  watchmaker's  shop,  more  than 
any  place  I  could  think  of.  He  was  seated  on  a  table  surrounded 
with  cushions  of  crimson  velvet.  By  him  stood  his  prime  minister 
and  keeper  of  the  seals. 

"  I  observed  during  our  stay  in  his  presence  these  two  persons 
never  took  their  hands  from  the  hilt  of  their  sabres.  We  were  per- 
mitted to  wear  our  side  arms,  which  I  thought  extraordinary.  The 
Bey  immediately  pointed  a  seat  for  me  close  by  his  side  on  his  right 
hand.  It  was  a  long  board,  the  others  in  rotation.  The  dragomen 
stood.  Coffee  was  handed  in  small  china  cups;  each  cup  was  in 
another  of  filagree  silver,  thickly  set  with  diamonds,  then  placed  on 
china  saucers, 

"  These  cups  held  about  two  tablespoonfuls,  and  were  presented  by 
Christian  slaves,  richly  dressed.  Little  business  was  done,  although 
the  Bey  appeared  like  a  business  man,  and  seemed  to  understand  the 
politics  of  Europe.  In  three-quarters  of  an  hour  we  were  dismissed. 
As  we  entered  here  we  shook  hands. 

"  When  we  got  down  to  the  square  and  had  on  our  boots,  the 
renegade  came  to  inform  us  that  the  master  of  the  seals  wished  to  see 
us  in  his  own  apartment,  and  the  yellow  slippers  Avere  resumed. 

"  Our  introduction  was  much  the  same.  But  instead  of  standing, 
sabre  in  hand,  we  found  him  seated  like  a  tailor  on  a  cushion  of  very 
rich  purple  and  gold.  Coflfee  as  before,  and  exactly  the  same  cere- 
mony observed.  He  appears  a  well-informed  man  ;  is  a  Georgian  by 
birth.  I  am  informed  there  are  here  eighteen  hundred  Christian 
slaves. 


176  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

"  Tunis  is  situated  at  least  twelve  miles  from  the  harbor  where  the 
vessels  lay.  There  is  a  small  canal  defended  by  two  castles,  which 
leads  into  a  lake  ten  miles  broad  and  fourteen  long,  supposed  to  be  the 
sight  of  ancient  Carthage.  The  lake  is  very  shallow  and  fetid, 
seldom  more  than  five  feet  deep,  and  in  many  places  but  three  feet. 
Frequently  in  going  up  the  river,  one  is  stopped  by  getting  on  chim- 
neys or  terraces  of  the  houses,  which  report  says  were  sunk  by  an 
earthquake. 

"  Unfortunately,  the  water  is  so  muddy  one  cannot  see  an  inch 
below  the  surface.  On  the  least  agitation  it  is  filled  with  green  parti- 
cles. Along  the  bank  to  the  north  and  northwest  are  the  remains  of 
the  ancient  and  once  glorious  city  of  Carthage,  which  Dido  founded, 
and  at  which  she  lived  and  died. 

"  The  Bey,  at  immense  expense,  is  forming  a  canal  through  this 
lake.  When  finished,  it  will  present  to  the  world  ruins  equal  to 
Herculaneura.  Pieces  of  antiquity  have  been  discovered,  but  the 
Moors  and  Arabs  have  such  an  aversion  to  statues  they  destroy  them 
as  a  religious  duty. 

"  Parts  of  Carthage  are  pretty  certainly  found.  Those  I  have 
visited  now  are  where  the  canal  is  so  choked  that  a  canoe  could  not 
pass  through  it.  Some  time  ago,  on  blowing  up  ruins,  a  tomb  was 
discovered  ;  on  it  four  figures,  one  representing  the  skeleton  of  a  man 
in  complete  armor,  were  found.  On  his  right  hand,  a  lion  passant; 
on  his  left,  an  ox  passant ;  behind  him,  a  ram  in  the  same  attitude. 

"  The  figures  were  much  larger  than  life,  and  of  exquisite  work- 
manship. The  Arabs  destroyed  them  all.  To  them,  the  likeness  of 
an  animate  thing  is  an  abomination.  This  was  supposed  to  be  the 
tomb  of  Scipio  Africanus. 

"  Just  returned  from  a  ramble  through  the  woods  attended  by  a 
Moor.  I  passed  some  Arab  huts,  and  observed  in  one  the  centre  of  a 
ruined  column.  There  are  many,  but  all  broken ;  nor  will  their 
religious  scruples  leave  a  fragment  large  enough  to  remove.  Some 
coins  and  valuable  gems  have  been  found,  yet  those  very  people  in 
many  instances  shame  Christians  ;  for  in  everything  they  say  and  do, 
they  seem  to  remember  their  God.  Meeting  them  in  the  streets,  roads, 
or  fields,  you  hear  the  emphatic  exclamations,  '  God  most  high,'  '  God 
is  great,'  &c. 

"  At  Tunis  there  are  slaves  of  all  nations,  and  they  are  much 
better  treated  than  at  Algiers,  wearing  no  chains  or  rings,  never  beaten 
unless  they  have  committed  great  faults,  and  they  are  well  fed.     The 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  177 

streets  are  narrow  and  very  dirty  ;  several  of  them  are  arched  over 
with  small  holes  in  the  top  to  admit  light. 

"  March  26th.  Waited  on  the  Bey  to  take  leave.  On  entering  bis 
apartment,  found  his  secretary  and  assistant  busy  in  sealing  papers. 
The  two  seals  were  fastened  to  the  Bey's  side  by  cords  of  green  silk 
about  twenty  feet  long.  When  the  secretary  has  finished,  they  are 
carefully  rolled  up  and  put  in  his  bosom.  He  never  loses  sight  of 
these  seals. 

"  He  was  very  friendly  to  me,  pressed  my  hand  and  hoped  to  see 
me  again.  He  did  not  appear  pleased  with  Mr.  Eaton  or  satisfied 
with  the  presents;  says  they  were  not  of  sufficient  value. 

"  Speaking  of  treaties,  he  remarked  that  of  all  nations  the  Swedes 
were  the  most  favored  by  his  ancestors,  who  were  pleased  by  a  box 
with  a  stone  in  it.  But  he  wished  for  something  more  substantial 
and  would  have  it ;  that  we  were  a  rich  and  populous  nation,  and 
would  certainly  one  day  possess  the  mines  of  gold  and  silver  now  in 
possession  of  the  Spaniards.  Then  we  could  make  him  a  present  of 
one,  at  which  he  laughed. 

"  Talking  about  the  French  in  Egypt,  we  observed, '  Bonaparte 
might  march  from  Cairo  to  Tripoli.'  He  answered  that  an  army  could 
not  march  in  less  than  four  months,  besides  water  was  to  be  had  in 
only  two  places.  It  was  observed  the  devil  might  help  him.  He 
replied,  on  some  occasions  he  did  appear  to  be  his  friend. 

"  April  2d.  Proceeded  to  Tripoli.  This  (place)  is  filled  with 
business  transactions  and  difficulty  with  the  Bashaw. 

"  April  13th.  Rode  about  a  mile  in  the  desert  to  view  the  ruins  of 
a  palace  which  belonged  to  his  father,  where  three  hundred  and  fifty 
Turks  were  killed  in  one  day  while  feasting.  Being  one  of  the  oldest 
families,  he  is  one  of  the  greatest  tyrants,  and  waded  to  his  throne 
through  the  blood  of  his  relations.  He  keeps  everything  in  his  own 
hands,  even  the  keys  of  the  treasury. 

"  During  his  father's  life,  he  was  an  exile  among  the  Arabs  in  the 
desert,  and  married  the  daughter  of  a  chief,  who  is  living  in  the  castle. 
"  April  2Gth.  Arrived  at  Tunis  ;  had  an  interview  with  the  Bashaw 
and  Sepotah,  who  are  still  displeased  with  the  presents.  They  know 
what  has  been  given  to  Algiers,  and  say,  '  All  their  fine  vessels  are  of 
American  construction,  while  our  presents  are  unknown  to  our  court 
and  people.  A  fine  vessel  would  be  seen,  and  the  subjects  and  others 
know  where  she  came  from.'  " 

A  gentleman  educated  in  the  old  Academy  of  Wilmington,  and  for 

23 


178  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

years  American  consul  at  Tunis,  gave  me  a  description  of  his  intro- 
duction to  the  Bey.  It  being  so  similar  to  the  preceding,  I  will  only 
give  a  description  of  the  apartments  at  a  later  day. 

After  passing  through  a  court  and  ascending  flights  of  steps,  he 
entered  a  most  magnificent  saloon,  the  whole  lined  with  mirrors,  and 
hung  with  crimson  velvet  worked  and  fringed  with  gold.  The  entire 
room  was  festooned  from  the  ceiling  in  elegant  taste,  and  the  richest 
carpets  covered  the  floors.  Three  rows  of  "benches,  one  above  the 
other,  were  covered  and  trimmed  like  the  hangings,  and  placed  on 
either  side  the  length  of  the  saloon. 

On  these  stood  the  guard  in  military  costume,  of  three  orders,  the 
highest  tier  Turks,  next  Moor,  next  the  blackest  of  the  African  race, 
each  nation  in  their  appropriate  dress,  splendidly  equipped  and  of  the 
finest  figures. 

The  Bey  seated  above  all,  magnificently  decorated  in  gold  and 
crimson  velvet,  sparkling  with  diamonds  aud  costly  jewels.  The  flow- 
ing robes,  turbans,  and  sashes  were  gorgeous  altogether.  This  gentle- 
man had  never  seen  such  a  display  of  grandeur  equaled,  though  he 
had  been  a  traveler  with  many  opportunities. 

After  this  episode  or  digression,  which  may  be  interesting  to  some 
of  our  young  readers,  we  go  on  with  our  domestic  narrative. 

During  the  epidemic  of '98,  a  dismantled  ship  from  Lisbon  arrived 
here.  In  a  storm  near  Cape  Henlopen,  they  cut  away  one  mast. 
Capt.  Beard,  who  had  sailed  from  this  port  in  by-gone  days,  and  one 
lady,  were  passengers,  and  the  following  adventurous  story  may  give 
you  some  idea  of  the  hardships  and  perils  she  sustained  on  the  ocean. 

We  had  left  our  home,  and  secured  a  retreat  in  the  suburbs.  In 
the  same  house  these  people  spent  a  few  days.  The  lady  had  kept  a 
journal,  which  we  were  privileged  to  hear  read.  The  captain  was  a 
man  of  unquestioned  veracity,  and  aflSrmed  to  the  truth  of  it  wherein 
he  was  a  participator,  and  doubted  no  part  of  her  story. 

Our  heroine  was  well  educated,  gentle  and  affable  in  manner, 
though  her  aspect  was  as  rough  as  that  of  the  weather-beaten  sailor, 
and  her  attire  singular.  Her  birthplace  was  Liverpool.  She  had 
married  young  and  settled  in  Halifax,  aud,  happy  in  domestic  life, 
years  winged  their  flight  amid  peace  and  plenty  until  it  pleased  God 
to  lay  his  afflictive  hand  upon  her. 

Death  bore  away  an  affectionate  husband,  leaving  her  a  widow 
with  two  children,  amply  provided  for. 

The  son  had  been  sent  by  his  father  to  England  to  complete  his 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  179 

education.  Two  years  after  that  event  she  inherited  an  estate  on  the 
death  of  a  relative,  and  a  desire  to  see  her  son  was  an  inducement  for 
her  to  visit  the  land  of  her  nativity. 

The  daughter,  in  charge  of  a  faithful  guardian,  was  left  at  school. 
The  voyage  across  the  ocean  was  prosperous,  and  she  was  greeted  with 
affection  by  the  friends  of  her  youth,  and  their  joyous  meeting  cheered 
her  saddened  spirits,  and  by  their  assistance  her  business  was  closed 
with  success. 

Some  remittances  were  sent  home,  and  after  six  months  she  em- 
barked. Two  weeks  had  passed  on  the  lonely  ocean,  and  a  tempest 
arose,  and  the  skill  of  seamen  who  had  often  braved  its  dangers  was 
baffled.  Everything  was  swept  from  the  deck,  the  ship  abandoned, 
and  much  of  her  valuable  treasure  remained  in  the  wreck,  doomed  to 
the  fathomless  abyss. 

Tossed  with  a  tempest,  next  day  they  lightened  the  ship,  and  when 
neither  sun  nor  stars  appeared,  all  hope  that  they  could  be  saved  was 
then  taken  away,  and  they»had  much  work  to  come  on  by  the  boat. 
In  anxious  fear  they  spent  days  in  the  boat,  until  rescued  by  benevo- 
lent sailors  sent  from  a  vessel  bound  to  a  far  country. 

A  change  of  garments  and  some  pieces  of  gold,  secured  in  a  girdle, 
were  her  only  treasure,  far  from  kindred  and  home.  A  stranger  in 
distress,  she  excited  sympathy.  Her  passage  was  taken  in  a  ship  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Beard,  bound  to  Philadelphia.  Every  attention  and 
kindness  was  paid  by  this  worthy  man  to  cheer  her  in  her  isolated 
condition. 

The  prospect  of  meeting  soon  her  beloved  daughter,  who  she  knew 
must  be  suffering  great  anxiety  respecting  her  fate,  absorbed  all  her 
thoughts.  Forgetfulness  of  the  past  left  her  unprepared  to  meet  the 
sad  fate  which  suddenly  enshrouded  her  in  the  deepest  gloom. 

This  fine  ship  was  captured  %y  one  from  a  Spanish  port,  and  the 
crew  were  marched  as  prisoners  into  the  interior.  Even  this  lonely 
female  was  subjected  to  rigorous  and  unkind  treatment,  which  added 
to  their  disastrous  captivity.  Weeks  passed  almost  in  despair,  when 
an  event  occurred  enabling  them  to  force  their  way  clandestinely  to  a 
town  on  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  where,  with  a  small  sum  each  one  had 
concealed,  they  purchased  a  boat,  providing  a  scanty  supply  of  food 
and  water,  and  fourteen  souls  ventured  on  the  perilous  deep. 

In  a  sailor's  garb,  this  female  took  her  turn  at  the  oar,  exposed  to 
all  the  hardships  of  a  boisterous  sea,  continuing  for  two  weeks  in  the- 
open  boat,  driven  by  storms  on  an  unknown  and  trackless  way.    Often 


180  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

at  midnight  their  canopy  was  a  dark  and  frowning  sky  ;  no  sound  but 
the  angry  billows  lashing  the  sides  of  fheir  fragile  barque,  the  only 
plank  to  screen  them  from  a  fearful  eternity.  They  shuddered  at  the 
thought  of  being  engulfed  in  the  fathomless  abyss,  their  fate  known 
only  to  an  omniscient  God,  for  amid  such  terrific  scenes  no  human 
confidence  can  overcome  the  shuddering  weakness  of  mortality.  A 
genuine  spark  of  the  Holy  Spirit  must  be  kindled  within  to  prepare 
us  for  death,  whether  He  approach  by  the  tempest  or  still  small  voice. 
"  I  cried  by  reason  of  mine  affliction  unto  the  Lord,  and  He  heard  me, 
for  Thou  hadst  cast  me  into  the  deep  in  the  midst  of  the  seas,  and  the 
floods  compassed  me  about." 

In  their  darkest  hour  relief  came.  They  were  rescued  by  a  ship 
bound  to  Lisbon,  whence  a  passage  was  procured  to  Philadelphia. 
Here  a  brig  was  just  ready  to  sail  for  Halifax,  in  which  she  em- 
barked. The  captain  had  heard  of  this  tempest-lost  female,  and  was 
anxious  to  bestow  every  kindness  upon  her.  After  all  her  great  dis- 
asters and  fortitude  under  every  discouragement,  she  was  landed  safe 
on  the  spot  from  whence  she  started  just  two  years  before. 

In  those  days  the  coasting  trade  was  very  considerable,  a  number 
of  vessels  from  the  Eastern  States  and  from  Nova  Scotia  laden  with 
plaster  of  Paris ;  and  varieties  of  fish,  quantities  of  excellent  smoked 
salmon,  and  also  potatoes  were  articles  of  trade.  They  discharged 
their  cargoes  at  these  wharves,  and  in  return  they  loaded  with  flour, 
corn  meal,  and  grain,  &c. 

One  of  the  most  noted  traders  was  Captain  Cuffee,  a  colored  man. 
He  owned  several  vessels  besides  the  ship  he  sailed.  Though  manned 
by  people  of  color,  subordination  and  order  presided  on  board.  The 
captain  was  much  respected  by  all  those  who  transacted  business  with 
him,  and  he  sustained  a  reputation  for  integrity  and  good  demeanor. 

He  was  not  very  dark ;  a  large  sfthletic  man,  pretty  well  propor- 
tioned, and  his  countenance  portrayed  thought  and  decision.  He 
wore  the  simple  garb  of  a  Friend,  and  professed  to  adhere  to  Friends' 
principles.     He  was  a  regular  attendant  on  their  religious  meetings. 

He  had  often  crossed  the  equator  to  the  southern  coast  of  Africa, 
and  traded  at  Sierra  Leone.  He  was  a  warm  advocate  for  colonizing 
the  people  of  color  in  their  mother  country.  He  thought  it  the  only 
way  to  advance  their  prosperity  and  permanent  good.  His  voyageS- 
tathis  town  were  frequent  in  the  early  days  of  the  present  century. 
James  Bjrian,  Stockton,  and  Craig  were  largely  concerned. in. this-imsiT. 
nesfi  about  the-period  we  notice.. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  181 

The  first  shipments  of  cheese  which  were  exported  from  this  country 
to  England  were  sent  there  on  adventure  by  Mr.  Pedrick,  now  of 
New  York,  a  young  man  brought  up  by  Joseph  C.  Gilpin,  at  his  store 
in  Wilmiogton ;  and  thus  originated  a  business  of  great  extent,  and  a 
most  valuable  addition  to  the  agricultural  exports  of  our  country. 


OHAPTEE    XYI. 

Visitations  of  the  Yellow  Fever— Every  House  Crowded— Ship  on  Fire — Its  first 
appearance  here  as  an  Epidemic— In  1798 — Intense  Alarm — Death  of  Citi- 
zens— Touching  Scenes — A  few  Philanthropists — J.  J^liller — James  Lea — 
John  Ferris— Dr.  Vaughan. 

Wandering  far  beyond  our  contemplated  excursion,  we  have  been 
led  to  traverse  the  ocean  and  explore  distant  lands. 

Once  more  we  resume  the  domestic  part  of  our  narrative.  The 
sorrowful  year  of  1793  has  been  glanced  at;  in  '97,  pestilence  again 
raged  in  Philadelphia,  and  many  citizens  sought  refuge  here.  Ship- 
ping and  dry  goods  merchants,  &c.,  brought  their  Western  customers 
until  every  nook  and  corner  became  filled. 

Ships  crowded  the  wharves.  One  day  a  ship  next  to  the  wharf 
was  seen  in  flames,  and  the  cry  of  fire  caused  universal  alarm.  There 
seemed  no  way  for  surrounding  vessels  to  escape,  but  happily  by  cut- 
ting away  the  ropes  and  letting  them  float  down  the  creek  they  were 
saved,  and  the  fire  was  soon  extinguished.  "  Every  shipmaster,  and 
all  the  company  in  ships,  and  sailors,  and  as  many  as  trade  by  sea, 
stood  afar  off"." 

Many  cases  of  fever  occurred,  but  they  were  all  traced  to  persons 
who  had  been  in  the  city.  One  in  our  own  family,  a  female  relative, 
who  had  been  from  Philadelphia  a  week,  was  violently  attacked,  but 
recovered.  A  very  worthy  lady,  daughter  of  Mr.  Joseph  Shallcross, 
fell  a  victim  to  the  disease  in  her  father's  house,  amidst  the  grief  of 
sorrowing  relatives;  and  many  others  died,  though  the  disease  waa  not 
conununicatedL,. 

23*  * 


182  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

In  1798,  Philadelphia  had  been  unusually  healthy.  Pleasure  and 
gayety  prevailed,  and  yellow  was  the  predominant  color.  Dresses, 
bonnets,  shoes,  gloves,  &c.,  tinged  the  city  with  a  yellow  hue.  But  in 
July,  in  the  midst  of  gay  life,  Death  on  the  Pale  Horse  rode  through 
the  streets,  suddenly  scattering  pestilence  among  the  terrified  inhabi- 
tants. 

An  ordinance  was  issued  that  every  infected  house  should  be  des- 
ignated by  a  yellow  flag  hung  from  the  door  or  window,  but  many 
rebelled  against  this  decree.  In  dress,  the  transition  in  color  was  in- 
stantaneous. 

Hither  many  again  fled  for  a  temporary  home,  and  business  men 
renewed  their  occupations,  and  every  place  was  filled.  Now  the 
opinion  was  fully  established  that  change  of  air  removed  the  infec- 
tion, and  each  one  felt  his  own  security  in  being  remote  from  the 
disease. 

But,  alas !  that  memorable  day,  the  5th  of  September,  put  many 
hopes  to  flight.  Samuel  T.  Erwin,  a  respectable  man  of  an  old  family, 
sickened  and  died  with  the  yellow  fever  ;  also  his  wife  and  brother, 
who  had  never  been  absent.  And  it  was  said  ten  out  of  eleven  in  one 
family  on  McComb's  wharf  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McC,  estimable  per- 
sons of  great  respectability,  died  ;  also  the  wife  of  Col.  Til  ton,  oppo- 
site. In  the  next  house.  Major  Pattens,  and  Mr.  Miller,  a  young 
lawyer  of  promise,  fell  victims  to  it. 

On  investigation,  rags  had  been  stored,  and  the  bags  stood  some 
time  on  the  wharf.  On  these  Mr.  Erwin  had  sat  to  rest  after  fishing. 
The  disease  was  most  fatal  along  the  wharf.  From  this  crowded  town 
they  knew  not  where  to  flee,  but  it  was  soon  deserted.  "  How  doth 
the  city  sit  solitary  that  was  full  of  people !" 

Touching  facts  of  this  season  impress  us  with  the  idea  that  many 
during  pestilence  are  hastened  to  an  untimely  grave.  Mrs.  H.  had 
been  faithfully  attended  during  her  sickness  by  afl^ectionate  relatives. 
Her  grave  clothes  prepared,  even  dressed  and  laid  in  the  coffin,  when 
signs  of  life  appeared  and  she  was  removed  to  her  bed.  Next  day  at 
the  very  hour  she  expired. 

An  extraordinary  case  occurred  in  a  dwelling  on  Hemphill's 
wharf.  J.  Provost  and  wife  were  both  subjects  of  the  fever,  and  the 
committee  for  the  relief  of  the  needy  were  applied  to.  They  sent  the 
only  help  in  their  power  to  procure,  two  worthless  colored  women  at 
two  dollars  per  day  for  nursing. 

These  soon  reported  their  death.  Men  of  jimilar  character  brought 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  183 

their  coffins  in  a  cart,  and  were  hurrying  them  to  the  grave,  when  a 
humane  man,  though  unable  to  do  much,  having  lost  an  arm,  noticed 
the  cart,  and  went  to  oversee  those  people.  His  daily  visits  were  to 
houses  of  mourning,  yet  this  one  had  been  passed  by.  He  was  in- 
duced to  prevail  on  a  timid  old  lady  to  follow  him  to  the  lonely  abode 
of  contagion.  His  forebodings  seemed  to  warn  him  that  death  was 
not  there. 

Ascending  the  stairs,  their  footsteps  alarmed  these  miscreants 
■while  dragging  the  apparently  lifeless  man  from  his  bed,  though  still 
warm.  In  the  same  room  lay  his  wife,  sensible  but  speechless,  waving 
her  hand.  An  effort  to  place  her  in  the  coffin  had  aroused  her  to 
resist  at  the  moment  these  good  Samaritans  entered. 

By  bathing  them,  changing  their  clothes,  and  administering  suit- 
able nourishment,  they  soon  revived,  and  both  lived  for  years  useful 
members  of  the  Methodist  Society,  and  would  often  recount  the  scene 
with  gratitude  to  their  Heavenly  Father  and  to  these  kind  friends 
and  tell  their  marvellous  story. 

Mrs.  Provost  said  their  harsh  treatment  aroused  her  feelings  at 
her  sad  fate  with  indescribable  awe.  Her  feeble  resistance  alarmed 
them.  Turning  to  her  husband  in  the  most  inhuman  maimer,  they 
had  resolved  to  bury  him  dead  or  alive. 

In  this  deplorable  state  there  seemed  to  be  no  hand  to  help,  no 
power  to  resist  Avretches  who  for  a  scanty  pittance  were  crushing  them 
out  of  life  into  an  endless  eternity. 

The  benevolent  individuals  who  rescued  them  were  Mrs.  Susanna 
Sellers,  an  old  inhabitant,  and  Mr.  Miller,  a  Methodist  local  preacher, 
whose  good  deeds  during  that  season  of  calamity  ought  to  be  had  in 
everlasting  remembrance.  This  disease  was  most  prevalent  along  the 
water.  In  the  village  of  Brandywine  many  died,  two  being  sons  of 
Joseph  Tatnall,  Esq. 

A  lapse  of  four  years  had  wiped  away  the  tears  and  sorrowing  for 
the  dead,  and  with  mcny  this  melancholy  season  was  buried  in  obliv- 
ion. A  new  century  had  dawned  upon  us.  In  1802  this  pestilence 
renewed  its  visit  to  Philadelphia,  and  again  our  town  was  an  asylum 
sought  in  terror,  where  business  was  resumed  with  apparent  safety. 
This  season  intercourse  between  the  places  was  prohibited  by  order 
in  council,  yet  a  convalescent  subject  stealthily  retreated  from  Phila- 
delpha  to  her  mother's  in  Wilmington.  The  spot  was  most  unfavor- 
able, below  Second  in  King  street,  a  mere  alley,  between  stables  and 
cellars  of  stagnant  water.     From  sudden  exposure  the  subject  relapsed. 


184  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Dr.  E.  Smith,  an  eminent  physician,  pronounced  it  a  most  malig- 
nant case  of  yellow  fever,  and  advised  the  immediate  abandonment 
of  the  neighborhood  to  arrest  its  progress.  But  an  apathy  seemed  to 
seize  the  people,  as  well  as  the  police.  Instead  of  inspiring  caution, 
those  who  dare  not  doubt  his  judgment  were  willing  to  attribute  his 
salutary  advice  to  timidity. 

The  brief  space  of  a  few  days  infected  the  whole  square,  and 
Death  bore  away  his  victim  from  every  dwelling.  "  Who  now  was 
calm?  who  now  resolute?"  All  was  terror  and  despair,  panic- 
stricken  people  flying  they  knew  not  whither.  "Sound  an  alarm,  let 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  tremble,  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  is  nigh." 

Naught  but  afflictive  scenes  were  presented.  A  family  in  Front 
street  near  King  excited  the  deepest  sympathy ;  it  consisted  of  the 
aged  parents,  three  daughters,  and  a  son,  all  previously  in  good 
health.  The  eldest  daughter  was  married  to  a  seaman  and  lived  with 
her  father ;  she  was  first  seized  with  the  malady,  and  the  third  day 
was  borne  to  her  grave. 

In  two  days  more,  the  remains  of  the  three  other  children,  their 
only  offspring,  were  conveyed  to  repose  side  by  side  in  the  Methodist 
Cemetery. 

There  were  none  to  follow  them  to  the  tomb,  save  the  bereaved 
parents  and  a  feeble  old  man.  Here  they  waited  long  in  hope  of 
assistance,  but  none  came,  and  the  coffin  lids  were  warped  by  the 
scorching  sun. 

It  chills  the  heart  to  relate  the  thrilling  scenes.  The  agonized 
parents  were  obliged  to  consign  the  remains  of  their  beloved  ones  with 
their  own  hands  to  the  narrow  house  appointed  to  all  living.  Advan- 
cing to  the  open  grave,  the  father  stood  aghast,  unable  to  yield  to  the 
stern  necessity. 

But  the  mother,  like  a  machine  put  in  motion,  performed  the  duty. 
No  expression  of  sorrow  clouded  her  brow,  no  tear  bedewed  her  cheek. 

The  feeble  old  man  stretched  out  his  palsied  hand  to  aid  in  staying 
the  rope.  Death  he  had  long  viewed  as  an  angel  of  mercy  to  bear 
him  from  earthly  sorrows  and  guide  him  to  endless  bliss.  But  this 
awful  solemnity  overcame  the  weakness  of  his  nature.  The  rope 
slipped  ;  his  trembling  limbs  bent  until  he  fell  on  the  grass. 

Now  death  appeared  as  the  King  of  Terrors  ;  he  saw  him  in 
majestic  awe  enter  tne  humble  abode,  with  the  stifling  breath  of  pes- 
tilence, to  take  from  these  bereaved  parents  -the  only  hope  and  support 
of  their  declining  years. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  185 

The  mother's  account  of  her  own  state  was  most  affecting.  Her 
eldest  daughter's  disease  was  at  once  pronounced  malignant.  Then 
terror  seemed  to  seize  her  whole  soul.  She  was  all  feeling.  Tears 
swept  down  her  cheeks  like  a  flood,  day  and  night,  until  everything 
svas  misty. 

The  others  sickened,  and  as  the  eldest  was  borne  down  the  stairs, 
tears  no  longer  bedewed  her  cheek,  and  her  whole  sense  of  feeling  was 
suddenly  benumbed.  She  nursed  the  other  three,  for  no  help  could 
be  procured.  Her  duties  were  performed  by  day  and  by  night,  with 
no  power  to  feel  even  extreme  fatigue  or  to  reflect  on  her  forlorn  sit- 
uation. This  stupor  spared  her  much  angbish,  and  she  doubted  not 
was  wisely  ordered  by  an  overruling  Providence  to  prepare  her  for  the 
sad  task.  Weeks  passed  in  this  state  of  torpor  ere  her  sad  bereave- 
ment was  mourned.  Osborne  was  the  name  of  the  family.  He  was  a 
harmless,  goodly  man,  long  known  as  a  tallow  chandler  in  this  town. 
They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Society. 

Many  victims  of  this  mournful  visitation  claim  our  notice,  and 
no  doubt  many  are  buried  in  oblivion.  Mrs.  Springer,  the  widowed 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Petrus  Tranberg,  was  left  in  charge  of  three 
orphan  grand  children,  for  whom  she  had  happily  chosen  a  faithful 
guardian,  James  Lea,  whose  ancestors  were  among  those  of  olden 
days. 

The  eldest  of  these  orphans  married  young,  and  in  the  absence  of 
her  husband  resided  with  her  grandmother.  One  and  another  sick- 
ene.d,  until  the  whole  family  were  subjects  of  the  epidemic. 

In  this  sad  case  the  guardian  made  his  daily  visits,  procuring  for 
them  every  comfort:  even  the  chamber  of  death  was  the  scene  of  his 
devotion  to  see  that  all  was  conducted  in  order.  Then  he  followed 
each  one  of  them  to  the  grave. 

The  youngest  female,  and  an  infant  of  few  days,  were  the  only 
survivors,  and  on  consigning  the  last  remains  to  the  dust  his  ward  was 
received  into  the  bosom  of  his  family.  Their  own  younger  children 
were  sent  into  the  country. 

Mr.  Lea  was  indeed  a  father  to  the  fiitherless,  while  his  excellent 
wife  felt  a  mother's  care  for  the  helpless  babe.  With  paternal  affec- 
tion they  guarded  they  guarded  the  youthful  days  of  their  ward,  who 
was  married  in  their  house,  and  left  it  as  Mrs.  G.,  ever  retaining  a 
grateful  affection  for  these  warm-hearted  friends  of  her  youth.  "  To 
him  that  is  afllicted  pity  should  be  showed  from  his  friend." 

While  gloom  enshrouded  the  town,  and  noisome  pestilence  exhaled 
3i 


186  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

vapors  that  led  to  the  gates  of  death,  the  destroying  angel  led  his 
captives  to  the  tomb.  Neither  bloom  of  youth,  robust  health,  nor  the 
desire  of  a  little  "  time  to  prepare  to  meet  their  God"  availed.  His 
inevitable  grasp  closed  the  earthly  scene. 

When  the  contagious  atmosphere  blew  into  a  dwelling  and  pros- 
trated an  inmate  by  the  afflictive  hand  of  the  Almighty,  hope  too 
often  winged  its  way,  despondency  seized  the  mind,  energy  languished, 
and  the  victim  became  too  feeble  to  apply  remedies  at  the  favored 
moment,  either  to  mitigate  or  remove  the  malady.  It  was  thought 
this  extreme  fear  hastened  many  to  the  tomb,  amid  silence  and  loneli- 
ness. Friends  were  few  ;  no  soothing  hand  was  near  to  administer 
relief 

Yet  two  or  three  philanthropists  did  enter  the  chamber  of  death 
to  commiserate  the  sad  heart  and  shed  a  ray  of  light  over  the  darkest 
hour.  With  the  course  of  years  they  have  glided  down  the  stream  of 
time,  and  their  "places  are  no  longer  known."  But  as  the  evergreen 
retains  its  verdure,  so  a  few  still  sweetly  cherish  the  remembrance  of 
their  works  of  mercy,  and  we  record  our  tribute  of  affection  to  depar- 
ted worth. 

All  hearts  were  faint,  and  every  voice  seemed  to  echo  "whither 
shall  I  flee?"  "Escape  for  thy  life,  look  not  behind  thee;  neither 
stay  thou  in  all  the  plain,  lest  thou  be  consumed."  On  the  eve  of 
leaving  home  disease  beset  our  way,  and  I  became  a  subject.  On  the 
morrow  my  mother  wts  attacked,  and  Dr.  Vaughau's  soothing  manner 
and  devoted  attention,  and  a  sympathizing  friend,  Mr.  James  Lea,  in 
his  daily  visits,  provided  every  comfort.  Such  kindness  shed  a  ray  of 
hope  over  the  darkest  hour  of  affliction. 

One  more  esteemed  friend  demands  a  grateful  memorial  of  affec- 
tion. This  was  Col.  Thomas  Kean,an  officer  in  the  Revolution,  and  a 
worthy  and  useful  citizen,  who  was  engaged  in  commerce  till  near  the 
close  of  this  eventful  period.  Death  seemed  to  spare  him  till  the 
eleventh  hour,  and  in  an  unexpected  moment  bid  him  leave  his 
earthly  cares  to  mingle  with  the  dust. 

Many  sympathizing  friends  mourned  his  departure.  He  was  an 
afl^ectionate  husband  and  father,  and  a  sincere  friend,  ever  ready  to 
visit  the  widow  in  affliction  and  to  soothe  her  cares. 

His  widow  survived  him  for  years  to  mourn  this  afflictive  dispen- 
sation. And  when  the  full  term  allotted  to  man  had  passed  away, 
she  was  called  to  "  resign  her  fleeting  breath,"  and  "  her  spirit  to 
ascend  to  Go!  who  gave  it,"  and  her  body  to  return  to  dust. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  187 

Having  long  confessed  her  Saviour  before  men,  she  could  with 
confidence  lean  on  him  to  guide  her  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death  to  realms  of  endless  bliss.  "  Thou  art  with  me  ;  thy  rod 
and  thy  staff,  they  comfort  me." 

The  visits  of  John  Ferris,  too,  we  hold  in  grateful  remembrance. 
But  his  philanthropy  claims  public  notice.  Wherever  the  pestilential 
breath  blew  in  sickness,  death  and  sorrow,  there  he  was  found,  by  day 
and  by  night,  to  administer  relief.  All  were  objects  of  his  peculiar 
care,  whether  in  the  stately  mansion  or  lowly  cabin. 

Even  death  seemed  to  have  respect  to  his  services,  and  to  leave 
him  a  little  longer  to  follow  up  these  acts  of  mercy  till  the  pestilence 
was  stayed.  Yet  he  also  was  borne  away  as  the  last  victim,  a  martyr 
in  the  cause  of  humanity,  and  none  was  more  deeply  lamented. 
"  When  the  ear  heard  me,  then  it  blessed  me ;  when  the  eye  saw  me, 
it  gave  witness  to  me." 

In  the  most  aggravated  state  of  the  disease  in  1802,  a  single 
physician  prescribed  for  all  who  were  afflicted.  Dr.  John  Vaughan 
most  assiduously  fulfilled  the  arduous  task.  Other  practitioners  were 
either  sick  or  absent.  But  no  omission  of  duty  chilled  the  patient's 
heart,  lest  the  lamp  of  life  should  grow  dim  or  cease  to  burn  through 
medical  neglect.  Nor  did  a  hasty  prescription  or  hurried  visit  create 
alarm  or  despair. 

His  tranquil  manner  and  afiectionate  sympathy  soothed  the  dark 
hour  of  affliction;  like  "a  burning  and  shining  light,"  he  exhibited 
the  Gospel  principles  of  a  practical  Christian.  But  after  this,  when  a 
few  more  years  had  glided  by,  death  bore  him  away  in  the  prime  of 
life ;  tears  of  sorrow  flowed  o'er  his  grave  as  the  memorials  of  grate- 
ful hearts.  He  also  left  a  young  family,  in  remembrance  of  his  pri- 
vate and  public  services  and  sympathy,  to  mourn  his  loss. 


OHAPTEE  XYII. 

Walnut  Street — Old  Trees — Amusements— Fairs — Folly  Lane — Anecdote — Dr. 
David  Bush— K.  M  ,  Esq  ,— D.  E.  N.  B  —Gov.  M'Kean— Separation— Ad- 
ventures of  a  Young  Lady. 

To  perambulate  the  streets,  we  sally  forth  from  a  point  where 
events  mostly  end — Amen  corner,  Front  and  Walnut  streets.  Here 
Captain  Mendenhall  resided  sixty  years  ago.  His  father-in-law,  Joel 
Zane,  a  respectable  Friend,  lived  next  door,  and  predicting  things 
were  to  remain  just  so,  called  it  Amen  Corner. 

Thence  to  French  street  was  a  beautiful  square.  The  houses  on 
the  upper  side  were  elevated  with  a  graceful  slope  to  the  water ;  and 
from  this  open  space,  covered  with  rich  grass,  there  was  a  full  view  of 
the  shipping,  Lombardy  poplars  and  weeping  willows  shaded  the 
fronts  with  a  beautiful  effect,  and  fine  meadows  banked  in  on  the  left. 
In  days  of  yore  there  was  a  row  of  noble  walnut  trees  opposite,  and 
stumps  yet  remained,  with  spikes  driven  in  to  fasten  boats.  A  dock 
ran  up  to  Front  street,  and  in  flood  tide  these  boats  landed  their 
freight. 

lu  olden  time  this  was  noted  for  youthful  sports.  Under  the  ma- 
jectic  walnuts  on  the  green  sward,  they  would  play  at  "  Prison  base" 
or  at  "  Old  witch  by  the  wayside."  Fairs  were  also  held,  and  at  them 
there  was  always  a  large  assemblage,  a  joyous  mingling  of  lookers-on 
and  performers.  The  musical  instruments  were  the  violin,  bugle, 
flute,  fife,  bagpipe,  and  banjo.  There  was  dancing,  too,  and  many  a 
sober  one  took  a  peep  at  the  Dutch  lads  and  lassies  dancing  hypsey-saw. 
Fair  days  were  merry  days.     Moonlight  nights  were  chosen  for 

"  These  healthful  sports,  that  graced  the  peaceful  scene, 
Lived  in  each  look,  and  brightened  all  the  green  " 

An  aged  gentleman  said  "  that  about  the  year  1765,  the  country 
people  were  supplied  with  spring  and  fall  goods  at  these  fairs,  held  in 
all  the  villages,  and  attended  by  young  and  old.  Some  went  to  buy, 
others  for  fun  and  frolic.  On  a  fine  day,  young  men  came  by  hun- 
dreds, with  a  lassie  '  alongside  ;'  and  their  shirt  sleeves  were  nicely 
plaited  and  crimped  as  high  as  the  elbow,  above  which  it  was  tied 
with  a  colored  tape  or  ribbon,  called  sleeve  strings.     Their  coats  were 

188 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  I89 

tied  behind  the  saddle.  They  wore  thin-soled  shoes  for  dancino-,  and 
two  pair  of  stockings,  the  inside  ones  white  and  the  outer  blue  yarn, 
the  top  rolled  neatly  below  the  breeches  knee-band  to  show  the  white 
and  guard  them  from  the  dirt  of  the  horse's  feet.  Boots  were  not 
worn  at  that  time ;  a  man  booted  and  covered  by  an  umbrella  would 
have  been  *  exposed  to  scoffs.'  " 

Then  this  gentleman  relates  a  few  circumstances  to  mark  the 
changes.  The  first  green  silk  umbrella  seen  was  brought  by  Capt. 
Bennett  from  Lisbon  for  his  wife;  the  second  by  John  Ferris  for  his 
wife  Lydia,  by  the  same  captain,  and  the  third  by  my  fiither  from  the 
West  Indies.  I  remember  being  so  much  ashamed  of  it  that  I  only 
held  it  a  few  moments  over  my  head  while  walking  by  his  side,  one 
day  in  the  year  1770.  The  gentleman  alluded  to  was  John  Shall- 
cross,  Esq. 

Somewhere  about  1787  or  '9,  my  mother  received  from  her  friend 
in  the  "West  Indies  a  present  of  two  umbrellas,  one  large  green  silk 
one  for  herself,  and  a  smaller-sized  red  one  for  me.  My  schoolmates  all 
came  to  see  it,  and  it  was  uncovered  and  hoisted  wilh  the  greatest 
care,  and  exhibited  to  many  who  had  never  seen  the  like.  It  was  a 
topic  of  conversation  among  the  young,  and  this  elegant  present  was 
viewed  as  an  emblem  of  pride. 

At  these  fairs,  stalls  were  erected  in  the  streets — I  think  in  Fourth 
street.  From  the  upper  market  down,  dry  goods  of  every  variety 
were  displayed,  and  everything  good  in  season  was  there,  feasting 
being  not  the  least  part  of  the  attraction.  There  was  plenty  of  cus- 
tomers, who  saved  their  money  to  make  purchases  at  the  fair. 

As  memory  may  recall  incidents  in  passing  up  the  streets,  we  will 
briefly  trace  them.  Some  who  were  once  the  busy  tenants  in  this 
square  have  long  been  slumbering  in  the  ocean.  Captain  Proale  owned 
the  house  southeast  corner  of  Second  street — then  called  Folly  lane, 
where  stood  five  tenements,  one  in  an  orchard,  where  Rose  Valentine 
supplied  children  with  apples. 

The  upper  cabin  was  Peter  Steinmetz.  An  anecdote  of  him  is 
somewhat  amusing.  It  was  on  the  eve  of  winter,  and  deep  snow  cov- 
ered the  earth.  Peter  and  Debby  were  convalescent;  a  long  illness 
had  increased  their  poverty.  The  physician,  Dr.  Bush,  knew  their 
inability  to  procure  fuel,  and  was  about  to  devise  means,  to  furnish 
this  comfort.  He  was  benevolent,  but  fond  of  fun.  Being  summoned 
on  a  jury,  where  twenty-four  persons  were  able  to  give  a  pittance,  wilh 
much  feeling  he  stated  Peter's  destitution,  and  described  a  most  extra- 
24* 


190  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

ordinary  animal  he  owned — a  native  of  the  east,  he  thought,  from  its 
long  beard  and  moustaches  (very  rare  in  those  days).  It  could  stand 
on  two  legs,  was  very  sagacious,  had  an  expressive  countenance,  and 
delicate  taste,  so  tarae  as  to  eat  out  of  the  hand,  yet  had  strength  and 
spirit  to  knock  down  an  offender.  Peter  had  no  suitable  place  for  it, 
nor  means  to  provide  food.  Traveling  menageries  were  unknown, 
and  wild  beasts  rarely  exhibited. 

The  company  agreed  that  such  a  rare  phenomenon  ought  to  be 
preserved.  As  the  doctor's  stratagem  succeeded,  he  proposed  that 
they  should  go  the  same  evening  and  see  it.  Each  one  paying  a  half 
dollar,  would  induce  others  to  go.  Care  had  been  taken  to  warn  Peter. 
The  animal  was  kept  in  the  cellar,  and  one  at  a  time  had  to  descend 
the  shackling  steps. 

The  first  one  was  an  irritable  man,  who  saw  an  old  goat,  W'ith  a 
long  beard,  that  had  been  a  terror  to  children  for  months.  He  became 
so  exasperated  as  to  threaten  to  level  poor  Peter,  annihilate  the  goat, 
and  was  ready  for  fisticuffs  with  the  doctor,  who  had  much  pleasantry 
and  tact  in  such  sports;  and  begged  him  in  wrath  to  remember  mercy, 
and  not  stand  alone  as  the  object  of  ridicule,  but  let  each  one  take 
their  share. 

He  saw  this  was  true  policy,  and  joined  heartily  in  the  trick.  The 
joke  was  the  gossip  of  the  day.  But  the  best  end  was  a  supply  of  fuel 
for  those  industrious  poor. 

In  1796,  the  property  once  Capt.  Proale's,  on  the  corner,  was  pur- 
chased by  Robert  Montgomery,  Esq.,  a  wealthy  gentleman.  The 
dwelling  was  enlarged,  out-houses  and  stables  built,  and  a  beautiful 
flower  garden  tastefully  arranged.  At  this  day,  the  location  might 
seem  a  strange  fancy,  when  the  face  of  nature  is  so  changed  by  raising 
the  street  and  crowding  it  with  small  tenements,  which  intercept  the 
water  view.     Then  it  was  a  rural  spot. 

Mr.  M.  had  made  the  tour  of  Europe,  and  participated  in  the  ele- 
gancies and  luxuries  of  foreign  climes.  His  early  years  were  mostly 
spent  in  France,  where  he  had  been  educated,  and  had  married  an 
accomplished  lady. 

Emigrants  from  that  country  had  sought  an  asylum  in  this  town, 
from  the  horrors  of  the  revolution  there,  among  whom  were  those  of 
the  best  society,  and  the  attraction  was  to  mingle  with  those  of  con- 
genial tastes. 

Were  one  of  our  youthful  aspirants  to  visit  these  premises,  and  be 
told  that  the  former  owner  had  money  enough  and  to  spare,  that  the 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  191 

Governor  of  Pennsylvania  and  his  family  were  his  guests  four  months, 
and  that  in  those  days  governors  were  distinguished  men,  not  drawn 
by  lot,  but  selected  for  talents  or  noble  deeds,  how  would  they  wonder! 

The  Governor's  family  were  here  during  the  prevalence  of  the  yel- 
low fever  in  Philadelphia,  in  '97.  At  that  memorable  period  an  Eng- 
lish officer  arrived.  Mr.  M.  was  at  the  hotel,  and  recognized  him  as  a 
classmate  in  France.  His  domicil  was  overflowing  with  guests,  and 
there  was  not  a  spare  nook  at  the  hotel. 

Mr.  Montgomery  ranged  the  streets  from  door  to  door  to  find  a 
lodging  for  the  stranger  and  his  servant.  As  no  other  place  could  be 
obtained,  a  lady  fitted  up  a  cot-bed  in  her  parlor  for  Edward  Nathaniel 
Bancroft,  Surgeon-General  to  his  Britannic  Majesty's  forces  in  the 
West  Indies.  His  name  and  rank  w-ere  marked  in  full  on  his  trunks 
with  brass  nails. 

You  may  not  be  aware  that  British  influence  was  said  to  prevail 
at  one  time.  Now  it  was  reversed — French  ascendency  being  "the 
ton."  So  the  prudent  surgeon  had  his  badge  of  honor  covered,  lest  he 
might  full  into  rude  hands.  This  minute  sketch  is  only  the  prelude 
to  an  interesting  narrative  of  the  family  of  the  surgeon's  uncle,  whom 
he  came  to  visit.     Their  story  will  be  related  in  turn. 

Mr.  M.  married  very  young,  and  having  no  children  they  adopted 
an  infant  in  France.  The  eventful  story  of  her  brief  life  will  no 
doubt  be  touching  to  her  surviving  schoolmates,  should  it  happen 
to  fall  into  their  hands,  as  she  was  much  endeared  to  them. 

Discontent  and  imaginary  trouble  may  overshadow  the  mansion 
of  the  rich  and  exalted.  They  are  not  the  peculiar  birthright  of  the 
poor,  nor  their  inevitable  lot,  but  when  discord  invades  the  gilded 
hall,  too  often  it  ends  in  hapless  woe.  This  rural  abode,  that  so  much 
pains  had  been  taken  to  beautify  and  render  attractive,  where  pleasure 
seemed  to  preside  and  crown  the  joyous  inmates  with  youth,  health, 
and  worldly  possessions,  and  so  lately  arranged  for  a  permanent  resi- 
dence, was  suddenly  abandoned  for  one  more  in  fashionable  life. 
Philadelphia  presented  amusements  and  gayeties,  and  thither  they 
removed,  entering  fully  into  the  pleasures  of  city  life,  which  soon  grew 
wearisome.  Ere  this  once  happy  couple  reached  the  prime  of  life, 
they  separated  by  mutual  consent,  never  to  meet  on  this  side  of  the 
grave. 

No  apparent  reason  was  offered  for  the  rash  resolve,  save  that  one 
preferred  America,  the  other  France.  Neither  would  yield.  Appor- 
tioned with  a  large   annuity,  Mrs.  M.  set  sail   for  her  native  land. 


192  Remtnisgences  of  Wilmington. 

Regardless  of  absent  friends,  she  entered  with  spirit  into  the  frivolities 
of  Paris,  while  Mr.  M.  dissipated  away  liis  days  in  Philadelphia. 

Neither  pains  nor  expense  were  spared  on  little  Miss,  their  adopted 
daughter — she  was  placed  with  Mrs.  Rivardi,  principal  of  a  fashion- 
able boarding-school  in  Philadelphia.  Her  education  was  strictly  at- 
tended to,  and  application  ^vith  good  talents  in  due  time  presented  her 
to  society  an  accomplished  lady.  But  alas !  unpropitious  circum- 
stances rendered  her  father's  house  an  unpleasant  home,  and  her 
friends  interposed  and  counselled  her  to  reside  with  her  adopted 
mother  in  Paris.  Her  acquiescence  was  readily  gained,  but  her  father 
reluctantly  consented,  though  he  promised  her  ample  support. 

The  non-intercourse  law,  then  in  force,  was  for  some  time  a  hinder- 
ance  to  her  departure.  At  length,  a  vessel  was  to  sail  to  England 
with  dispatches,  and  to  touch  at  port  L'Orient.  The  commander  was 
a  gentleman,  and  promised  her  protection,  and  to  resign  her  to  the 
care  of  the  American  consul.  Having  just  attained  her  seventeeth 
year,  she  was  oT  prepossessing  appearance  and  courteous  manners.  She 
traversed  the  ocean  with  strangers  to  seek  a  new  home. 

After  a  prosperous  voyage  she  was  landed  at  the  destined  haven, 
where  unforseen  events  compelled  the  kind  captain  to  resign  his  charge 
to  the  care  of  a  stranger,  who  escorted  her  to  the  hotel  of  the  consul. 
Unfortunately,  that  officer  was  absent,  and  it  was  a  time  of  much  po- 
litical intrigue. 

It  was  soon  noised  abroad  that'an  interesting  young  girl  had  been 
landed  from  a  brig  bound  to  a  country  with  which  intercourse  was 
prohibited,  and  without  a  protector.  To  arrive  under  such  circum- 
stances was  too  mysterious  to  be  solved,  and  suspicion,  ever  on  the 
wing,  soon  decided  that  she  was  a  spy,  and  those  on  the  watch-tower 
saw  their  path  of  duty  plainly  to  cite  her  before  the  city  authorities. 

This  intelligence  overpowered  her,  as  she  had  no  one  to  ask  coun- 
sel of,  nor  from  whom  to  claim  protection.  In  a  moment,  shrinking 
nature  gave  way,  and  she  swooned.  Even  her  accusers  were  alarmed, 
and  felt  pity  for  the  destitute  orphan. 

How  sad  a  transition  in  a  short  time  !  All  her  life  she  had  been 
flattered  as  an  heiress,  indulged  in  luxury,  with  attendants  at  her  bid- 
ding. Suddenly,  she  was  a  forlorn  stranger,  and  summoned  before 
the  municipality  to  answer  to  the  charge  of  an  unknown  crime. 

At  length  she  was  aroused  from  this  shock,  and  conscious  inno- 
cence sustained  her  in  the  hour  of  trial.  With  undaunted  energy, 
she  answered  every   question,  and   stated   her   story  fluently  in   the 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  193 

French  language.     Her  eloquence  and  guileless  manner  were  the  ad- 
miration of  this  vast  assemblage. 

Then  fearlessly  she  denounced  such  harsh  procedure,  and  refused 
all  proffered  attention.  As  she  was  about  to  be  relieved  from  this 
embarrassing  scene,  the  astonished  consul  entered.  In  compliance 
with  her  request,  she  was  instantly  removed  from  this  detestable  place, 
and  they  were  soon  on  the  road  to  Paris. 

Buoyed  up  with  enthusiastic  delight  at  the  hope  of  meeting  one 
she  loved  best  on  earth,  whom  she  had  been  taught  to  call  by  the  en- 
dearing name  of  mother,  who  had  watched  over  her  in  infancy  with 
affectionate  solicitude,  whose  long  absence  had  been  so  sincerely 
mourned,  now  anticipating  the  hajipiness  of  embracing  this  beloved 
one,  to  whom  she  could  confide  her  sorrow,  and  tell  her  sad  ad- 
venture at  L'Orient,  realizing  the  sympathy  of  her  warm  heart  by  a 
kind  reception,  she  banished  all  care  from  her  thoughts. 

Alas !  on  entering  the  halls  of  this  visionary  Paradise,  her  airy 
castles  crumbled !  No  affectionate  mother  greeted  her  arrival,  or  lis- 
tened to  her  tale  of  sorrow. 

A  cold,  heartless  woman  censured  her  rash  imprudence  in  ventur- 
ing on  the  voyage  alone,  and  still  more  for  leaving  a  rich  father,  in 
whose  affection  there  were  those  who  were  ever  ready  to  supplant  her. 
Having  no  security  for  her  pittance,  she  might  be  left  to  earn  her 
daily  bread,  or  receive  it  from  the  cold  hand  of  charity.  No  assist- 
ance need  be  expected  from  her  scanty  income,  barely  enough  to  sup- 
ply her  own  wants,  therefore  no  obstacle  must  delay  her  return. 

Grieved  and  bowed  down  by  slighted  hopes,  a  speedy  journey 
brought  her  again  to  Port  L'Orient,  whence  she  embarked  in  the  same 
vessel  homeward  bound  with  dispatches. 

Unable  to  suppress  her  agonized  feelings,  she  revealed  her  sorrow 
to  the  benevolent  officer,  who  sympathized  with  her,  and  by  every 
attention  strove  to  soothe  her  wounded  spirit.  Her  father's  reception 
of  her  in  Philadelphia  was  most  affectionate,  for  she  was  tenderly  be- 
loved by  him.  Yet  his  house  was  a  desolate  home,  and  happiness  no 
more  was  an  inmate  of  her  bosom ;  no  pleasing  anticipation  of  the 
future  cheered  her  lonely  hours,  or  buoyed  up  by  her  drooping 
spirit. 

On  a  winter  evening,  with  a  slight  cold,  she  went  to  the  Museum. 

It  was  lighted  up,  and  all  was  gayety.     Tiie  worthy  captain  met  her, 

and  apologizing  for  his  inattention,  promised  her  a  visit  through  the 

week.     Her  father  was  suffering  from  an  attack  of  the  gout,  and  sho 

25 


194  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

felt  assured  his  visit  would  give  him  pleasure.     Time  passed  cheerily 
as  they  promenaded  the  crowded  assembly,  until  ten  o'clock. 

To  comply  with  his  promise,  and  pass  a  pleasant  evening,  he  went 
to  Mr.  M.'s  mansion.  In  the  hall  he  met  an  elderly  female.  The 
answer  to  his  inquiry  was,  "  Mr.  M.  is  as  well  as  can  be  expected." 
In  the  drawing-room  he  was  asked,  "  Do  you  wish  to  see  Miss  M.  ?" 
When  taken  into  the  room,  the  spectacle  which  met  his  gaze  was  over- 
powering. So  lately  as  the  last  Tuesday,  he  saw  that  lovely  animated 
form  as  she  passed  with  him  through  the  crowd.  Now  it  was  only 
Friday,  and  the  spirit  had  fled  forever !  Here  was  only  the  lifeless 
corpse ! 

"  To-day  we  frolic  in  the  rosy  bloom 
Of  jocund  youth — the  morrow  knells  us  to  the  tomb." 

This  mournful  event  was  an  exciting  subject  of  conversation  for 
months  in  Philadelphia. 


OHA^PT.EE   XVIII. 

Methodist  Meeting-house — John  Thelwell — Stone  Meeting-house — A  Noted  Law- 
yer— White  Hall — Vandever's  Island — Old  Swedes'  Cemetery — Remembrances 
of  the  dead. 

Folly  Lane,  now  Second  street,  is  now  filled  up  with  respectable 
dwellings.  Two  young  men  of  enterprise.  Bonny  and  Bush,  some  years 
since  erected  a  foundry  and  machine  shop,  that  gave  rise  to  the  im- 
provement. The  former  was  cut  off  in  the  spring-time  of  life,  and 
though  a  stranger  here,  was  esteemed  a  useful  and  worthy  citizen. 
The  northeast  corner  was  long  a  noted  spot,  but  not  for  the  style  of 
the  dwelling  or  its  valued  inmates.  Its  title  was  i\iQ  four-story ,  being 
a  unit  for  many  years. 

The  next  place  of  note  was  a  humble  Methodist  meeting-house 
founded  by  a  meek  and  lowly  people,  who  would  shudder  at  the  popish 
name  of  a  church,  though  they  did  decorate  it  with  evergreens  on 
Christmas,  and  kept  the  day  as  a  religious  festival.     It  has  been  so 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  195 

often  enlarged  that  hardly  a  relic  of  the  original  is  left.  Now  it  can 
vie  with  many  buildings  in  large  cities,  and  is  called  Asbury  Church. 

Opposite  is  the  parsonage  of  the  Swedish  church,  and  the  residence 
of  all  the  rectors  to  the  year  1828.  In  the  rear  was  a  fine  garden  kept 
in  the  best  order,  and  a  draw-well  of  excellent  water. 

Capt.  Dawson,  a  respectable  pilot,  owned  the  property  above. 
Having  a  competency  and  no  children,  he  and  his  worthy  wife  were 
patrons  of  the  Methodist  society  in  time  of  need.  But  we  must  not 
pass  this  primitive  place  of  worship  without  a  tribute  of  respect  to 
John  Thelwell,  its  devoted  patron  from  its  early  dawn,  and  faithful  un- 
til death.  "  The  Lord  shall  count,  when  he  writeth  up  the  people, 
that  this  man  was  born  there."  It  would  be  easier  for  us  to  say  what 
he  did  not  than  to  recount  his  numerous  duties.  He  was  a  ruler,  an 
exhorter,  and  an  efficent  class-leader  with  these  people.  He  was  clerk 
of  the  market,  too,  and  once  he  weighed  a  woman's  butter  which  was 
wanting  in  balance,  and  was  about  to  take  away  the  basket.  She 
being  keen-sighted,  and  he  having  but  one  eye,  she  took  the  advantage 
by  daubing  a  pound  in  the  other  eye,  and  thus  made  off  with  her 
effects. 

He  held  the  office  of  bell-man  from  time  immemorial,  as  crier. 
Many  at  this  day  remember  Daddy  Thelwell  and  his  big  bell,  tingling 
as  he  passed,  and  warning  the  burgesses  to  attend  their  meeting  in  the 
little  town  chamber  over  the  end  of  the  lower  market-house.  Also 
for  sales  of  property  and  goods  at  auction.  Those  are  yet  living  who 
heard  the  joyful  sound  of  his  old  bell  ringing  in  their  ears,  arousing 
them  from  repose,  his  voice  echoing  loud  and  long,  "  Comwallis  is 
taken  !   Comwallis  is  taken  !" 

Could  you  believe,  after  being  faithful  to  all  these  duties,  he  should 
be  a  schoolmaster,  and  of  some  note,  too  ? 

The  more  ancient  horn-book,  scarcely  now  remembered,  became 
out  of  use  in  this  country,  and  ceased  to  be  imported  from  England, 
when  we  undertook  to  teach  ourselves  learning  after  the  Revolution. 
It  was  soon  below  our  expectations,  for  it  only  contained  the  alphabetic 
letters,  the  numerals,  and  the  Lord's  prayer.  These,  fastened  on  a 
small  thin  board,  about  the  size  of  a  small  spelling-book  page,  were 
securely  nailed  to  it  with  a  strip  of  bright  brass  for  a  margin,  and 
covered  with  a  plate  of  horn  so  transparent  as  to  render  the  text 
cleax-ly  to  be  read,  yet  fully  defended  from  the  unwashed  fingers  of 
the  pupils. 

One  of  the  British  poets  has  immortalized  this  elementary  guide 


196  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

to  all  the  future  learning  of  our  advanced  age  by  an  elegant  poem,  of 
which  we  venture  to  insert  the  introduction  and  conclusion  : — 

"  Hail,  ancient  book,  most  venerable  code. 
Learning's  first  cradle  and  its  last  abode  ; 
The  huge  unnumbered  volumes  which  we  see, 
By  lazy  plagiarists  are  stolen  from  thee : 
But  future  times  to  thy  sufficient  store 
Shall  ne'er  presume  to  add  one  letter  more. 
Thee  will  I  sing  in  homely  wainscot  bound. 
The  golden  verge  encompassing  around 
The  faithful  horn  in  front  from  age  to  age, 
PreseiTing  thy  invaluable  page." 

"In  idle  pages  no  errata  stand 

To  tell  the  blunders  of  the  printer's  hand." 

"  An  ancient  peasant,  on  his  latest  bed, 

Wished  for  a  friend  some  goodly  book  to  read  ; 

The  pious  grandson  thy  known  handle  takes, 

With  eyes  lift  up  this  savory  lecture  makes. 

'■Great  A,'  he  gravely  read,  the  important  sound, 

Made  hollow  walls  and  empty  roofs  rebound  ; 

The  expiring  ancient  raised  his  drooping  head. 

And  thanlied  the  stars  that  Hodge  had  learned  to  read. 

'  Great  i?,'  the  yonlier  bawls.     'Oh !  heavenly  breath  : 

What  ghostly  comforts  in  the  hour  of  death  ! 

What  hopes  I  feel !'     '  Great  C,'  pronounced  the  boy. 

The  grandsu-e  dies  in  ecstasy  of  joy." 

But  the  intruding  successor  to  teach  the  alphabet — spelling,  reading 
and  grammar — was  Dilworth's  spelling-book,  with  small  print,  like  old 
worn-out  newspaper  type.  This  generation  would  not  now  bend  their 
minds  to  study  such  dim  lights.  Most  boys  and  girls  here  were  his 
pupils,  at  least  during  part  of  their  school  days. 

At  the  foot  of  Quaker  Hill,  Mr.  Thelwell  had  commenced  teaching, 
but  was  soon  promoted  to  the  little  Senate  Chamber  over  the  market- 
house,  and  this,  at  the  corner  of  Third  and  King  streets,  was  long  his 
room.  The  boys'  entrance  was  front,  the  girls'  up  an  alley.  Even  in 
in  those  primitive  days  there  were  some  unruly  children ;  but  he  ad- 
hered most  strictly  to  the  letter  of  Solomon's  advice,  and  "never  spared 
the  rod."  The  rattan  or  ferrule  seemed  to  be  in  perpetual  motion,  and 
were  as  common  in  his  seminary  as  gymnastics  are  at  this  day,  and 
woe  to  the  boy  mounted  to  receive  the  reward  of  his  exploits  or  omis- 
sions !  But  wondrous  strange  if  after  such  an  exhibitiion  he  should 
return  to  school  subdued.     It  can  only  be  acGOunted  for,  that  Inde- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmij^gton.  197 

pendence  was  not  fully  understood  in  the  young  Republic.      Certainly 
it  was  not  carried  out  as  in  this  day. 

The  Bible  was  used  for  the  senior  class,  and  also  Gough's  Arith- 
metic, with  suras  in  simple  division  that  would  fill  a  large  slate,  and 
puzzle  many  a  brain,  and  cause  showers  of  tears.  This  school  was 
opened  every  morning  by  prayer  and  singing  a  hymn. 

"  The  village  all  declared  how  much  he  knew  : 
'  Twas  certain  he  could  write  and  cipher  too  ; 
Lands  he  could  measure,  times  and  tides  presage. 
And  e'en  the  story  ran  that  he  could  gauge. 
But  past  is  all  his  fame.     The  verj'  spot 
Where  many  a  time  he  triumphed  is  forgot." 

Miss  Debby  Thelwell,  the  eldest  daughter,  assisted  and  kept  the 
girls  in  order ;  she  was  a  very  worthy  woman,  but  with  no  literary 
pretensions.  Miss  Polly  rarely  entered ;  she  was  timid  and  more 
refined.  After  the  father's  death,  the  sisters  united,  and  taught  young 
children  for  many  years.  In  old  age,  this  worthy  family  were  re- 
moved by  death  from  useful  employment,  having  contributed  their 
share  of  good  to  this  community. 

The  first  assemblage  of  Methodists  in  this  town  worshiped  in  an 
upper  story  of  Capt.  Joseph  Gilpin's  store-house  on  King  street,  and 
the  next  place  was  J.  Thelwell's  school-room,  corner  of  King  and 
Third  streets. 

Eastward  of  Fourth  street  there  were  no  buildings,  and  the  street 
downwards  was  called  Ferry  Lane,  and  on  the  north  side  there  was 
a  row  of  old  houses.  The  two  lower  were  owned  by  Joan  and  Rose 
Hugal.  Rose  was  a  celebrated  cook,  and  their  garden  supplied  many 
families  with  quinces  for  preserving. 

In  1801,  on  election  day,  the  voters  then  went  over  to  New  Castle. 
About  noon  a  fire  broke  out  in  the  second  house  of  this  row.  A  snmll 
engine  and  buckets  were  the  only  aparatus,  and  great  was  the  alarm. 
In  the  absence  of  men,  women  acted  their  part,  in  passing  the  full  water 
buckets  up  one  side  and  the  empty  ones  down  the  other.  A  lane  had 
been  formed  by  them  down  Walnut  street  to  the  creek.  It  was  a 
laborious  task,  but  it  is  mentioned  among  other  trifles  to  show  the 
ways  of  things  in  olden  times. 

Corner  of  Fifth  street  was  "  the  stone  meeting-house,"  so  called  in 

those  days.     It  was  built  by  the  converts  of  the  celebrated  George 

Whitefield,  who  seceded  from  the  congregation,  and  were  called  Neiv 

Lights.     Rev.  William    Smith,  who    was    their  pastor,  died  in  New 

25* 


198  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Jersey.  He  was  succeeded  by  our  worthy  friend  Dr.  Read.  Both 
these  pastors  preferred  keeping  their  light  trimmed,  and  to  follow 
the  old  paths. 

Under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev.  E.  W.  Gilbert,  it  was  much 
enlarged,  and  a  free  school  built  by  general  subscription.  When  a 
new  church  was  erected,  the  minority  clung  to  this,  but  in  wisdom 
soon  reunited  to  their  brethren. 

The  Baptists  are  the  present  owners.  Down  Hanover  street  was 
called  Chicken  Alley — the  alley  below,  Dogtown. 

Broad  street  hence  was  called  Church  Lane.  On  this  spot,  half  a 
century  ago,  the  reply  of  a  boy  eleven  years  old,  to  a  noted  lawyer  of 
that  day,  was  deemed  so  appropriate  that  to  show  the  force  of  his  wit 
it  may  be  proper  to  sketch  his  character. 

A  lawyer  had  suddenly  appeared  in  this  borough,  and  made  him- 
self of  great  notoriety  by  going  from  door  to  door  to  search  out  old 
deeds,  proclaiming  himself  to  possess  extraordinary  powers  to  prove 
the  titles  of  other  days.  If  an  old  musty  'deed  of  past  generations 
could  be  raked  up,  for  a  very  small  fee,  paid  in  advance,  your  name 
was  honored  on  his  list  of  clients.  Many  a  one  was  caught  by  surprise, 
and  quite  a  sensation  created  in  the  vicinity. 

The  whole  tribe  of  Brandywine  millers  were  to  be  dispossessed  and 
a  poor  little  English  barber  was  made  the  "  heir  apparent"  in  right  of 
his  wife,  who  was  of  Swedish  descent.  Wills  he  dragged  into  court, 
and  instituted  many  petty  suits,  besides  this  mighty  one.  The  barber 
was  very  much  elated  at  his  prospective  wealth,  and  felt  very  conse- 
quential. 

On  tb©  decisive  day,  he  was  seated  in  the  Court-House,  to  hear  the 
issue,  full  of  hope  and  breathless  expectation.  The  decree  was  an- 
nounced against  all  such  claims,  and  the  poor  deluded  man  fainted 
away,  fell  on  the  floor,  and  scarcely  revived.  Thus  the  lawyer's 
professional  race  was  ended,  and  many  called  him  a  swindler. 

A  deep  snow  covered  the  ground,  and  here  was  a  narrow  pathway 
leading  to  the  old  church,  where  this  lawyer  met  the  boy,  and  said, 
"My  little  friend,  I  suppose  you  call  this  the  straight  and  narrow 
way?"  "I  think  not,"  said  the  boy,  coolly.  "Why  so?"  said  the 
lawyer.  "  Because,"  answered  he,  "  I  meet  Mr.  Hall  here."  The  reply 
made  an  impression.  He  went  to  his  lodging,  and  told  his  wife  he  had 
never  met  with  so  pointed  a  reproof. 

In  old  time  White  Hall  near  the  Brandywine  was  a  mansion  of 
plenty.    The  owner,  Capt.  Joseph  Stidham,  commanded  a  company  of 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  199 

militia  during  the  Revolution.  He  was  young,  wealthy,  and  liberal. 
In  the  prime  of  life  reverses  strewed  his  path  with  cares,  and  he  died  poor. 

A  large  portion  of  this  district  was  in  brickyards,  where  the  best 
brick  was  made,  and  exported  by  the  proprietors.  Thomas  Cox  and 
Wm.  Kirk,  their  descendants,  still  own  part  of  it.  Near  by  was  the 
old  King's  road  to  Philadelphia.  A  toll  bridge  just  above  the  rail- 
road was  the  private  property  of  Peter  Vandever,  and  in  those  days  a 
large  revenue  was  drawn  from  it.  The  Vandever  family  was  respect- 
able and  wealthy.  Their  ancestor  adopted  the  religious  views  of 
Luther,  and  fled  from  the  persecutions  in  the  Netherlands  to  this  wil- 
derness, in  the  16th  century,  and  settled  on  the  Brandy  wine,  calling 
their  place  "  Vandever's  Island." 

And  it  long  retained  the  name,  as  part  of  this  estate  is  still  in 
possession  of  a  descendant.  The  ancient  dwelling  stands  as  a  relic, 
which  was  erected  before  the  old  Swedes'  Church.  The  maternal  an- 
cestors of  this  family  were  Swedes. 

An  anecdote  of  an  old  man  in  their  service  is  somewhat  amusing. 
The  governor  and  his  suite,  on  visiting  this  lower  province,  were  com- 
plimented with  a  free  pass,  and  the  old  man  knew  he  was  not  to 
receive  toll  from  his  excellency.  But  he  was  unwilling  to  let  so  many 
pass  without  paying  toll,  and  stopped  them,  exclaiming,  "  Do  you  all 
pretend  to  be  governors  ?"  and  exacted  toll  from  the  suite. 

On  another  occasion  the  young  men  had  been  to  Jersey  in  a  canoe 
to  shoot  ducks,  and  were  presented  with  a  superior  pumpkin,  large  and 
round.  On  their  return  the  night  was  dark,  and  they  left  the  boat  for 
for  the  man  to  secure. 

He  jumped  in,  and  his  weight  pressed  one  end  into  the  water. 
The  pumpkin  rolled  forward,  and  struck  him  with  such  force  that  he 
ran  away  alarmed  ;  but  reflecting  that  he  might  be  called  a  coward, 
he  resolved  to  prove  his  courage  by  a  second  trial,  and  let  the  rascal 
see  that  he  had  missed  his  mark  by  insulting  him.  Assuming  the 
courage  of  a  hero,  he  advanced  boldly,  aud  sprang  into  the  canoe  so 
suddenly  that  it  brought  down  hjs  antagonist  with  such  force  as  to 
give  him  a  severe  blow.  To  his  surprise  and  terror,  he  discovered 
that  it  was  a  monster  without  arms  or  legs,  therefore  it  be  must  some- 
thing supernatural  and  irresistible. 

This  island  was  partly  encircled  by  marshy  land,  aud  when  banked 
in,  tilled  and  drained,  became  fertile  meadows  for  pasture  and  grazing. 
Here  aud  there  were  built  cabins  called  marsh-houses,  occupied  by 
one  who  tilled  the  ground  or  guarded  the  cattle. 


200  Reminiscences  of  Wilminoton 

At  the  end  of  Marsh  Lane,  near  this  old  mansion,  lived  a  colored 
man,  a  son  of  old  Jerry  Harraan.  In  1838,  the  last  time  the  bridge 
was  carried  away,  he  saw  the  water  rise,  and  hurried  on,  crossing  the 
bridge,  and  feeling  it  move,  sjirang  on  terra  firma  just  as  it  passed 
away. 

As  he  approached  his  cabin,  he  waded  through  deep  water,  and 
found  his  wife  with  two  small  children  in  the  greatest  consternation. 
They  all  climbed  to  the  loft,  and  the  water  rising  rapidly  they  made 
their  way  to  the  roof,  clinging  to  it  in  fear  and  trembling  Soon  a 
mighty  rushing  wind  tore  it  from  the  hold,  and  swept  it  through  the 
air  over  the  water  more  than  sixty  feet,  and  landed  it  on*the  railroad, 
with  these  four  human  beings,  just  as  the  darkness  of  night  was  close- 
ing  in.  "  I  will  bring  thee  up  out  of  the  midst  of  the  rivers  ;  thou 
shalt  fall  upon  the  open  fields." 

Swedes'  Cemetery. — Thus  our  wanderings  have  again  brought  us, to 
hold,  as  it  were,  mental  converse  with  the  dead. 

"  When  eve  is  purpling  cliff  and  cave, 
Thoughts  of  the  heart,  how  soft  ye  flow." 

We  enter  the  ancient  burial-place,  to  linger  amid  the  moldering 
dust,  and  in  a  day-dream  ponder  over  incidents  which  our  fathers  have 
told  us  of  the  lives  of  by-gone  generations,  and  those  of  more  recent 

date. 

"  Then  all  by  chance  or  fate  removed, 
Like  spirits  crowd  upon  the  eye  ; 
Those  whom  we  liked,  the  few  we  loved, 
And  the  whole  heart  is  memory." 

Under  yon  old  walnut  tree  lies  that  "  young  man  who  was  dead 
and  is  alive  again."  Near  by,  a  fair  maiden,  whose  bridal  robes  were 
cast  aside  to  shroud  her  for  the  grave.  On  the  south,  the  two  young 
men,  a  bridegroom  and  a  brother,  whose  joyous  hearts  gladdened  to 
to  see  the  beams  of  the  setting  sun  glittering  on  the  water,  and  the 
breeze  fill  the  sails  to  waft  them  over,  unconscious  of  the  rising  tem- 
pest, which  ere  nightfall  hurried  1;]iem  into  an  endless  eternity,  and 
turned  the  house  of  feasting  into  a  house  of  grievous  mourning. 

That  old  tombstone  near  covers  the  rich  and  honorable  West  India 
merchant,  E.  M.  Gray,  whom  neither  wealth,  fame,  worth,  nor  med- 
ical skill  could  save  from  the  iron  grasp  of  death. 

Yon  monument  on  the  south  side  of  this  venerable  cometery  com- 
memorates the  virtues  of  a  native  of  Strausburg,  France,  John  James 
Ullmann,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  of  varied  and  extensive  information  and 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  201 

scientific  attainments.  Born  of  an  ancient  and  honorable  family,  in 
that  antique  city,  his  education  was  of  the  highest  grade  which 
Europe  could  afford.  Being  at  the  University  when  the  brilliant  dis- 
coveries of  Lavoisier  were  astonishing  the  scientific  world,  his  natural 
aptitude  for  investigation  found  an  ample  scope  in  chemistry,  then 
just  assuming  its  modern  form.  His  familiarity  with  the  languages  of 
Europe  was  remarkable.  He  spoke  and  wrote  most  of  them  with 
fluency,  and  he  was  also  considerably  acquainted  with  the  Asiatic  lan- 
guages. 

Mr.  Ullmaun  was  for  those  days  a  great  traveler  ;  he  had  traversed 
Europe  and  much  of  Asia.  The  institutions  of  America  were  famil- 
iar to  him,  as  in  early  life  he  had  conceived  a  great  admiration  for 
their  republican  characteristics.  He  resided  in  India  many  years, 
and  transacted  business  with  some  of  the  most  eminent  merchants  of 
this  country,  by  whom  he  was  highly  esteemed.  In  the  prime  of  life 
he  retired  from  commercial  pursuits  with  an  ample  fortune,  having 
married  an  estimable  lady,  the  daughter  of  a  French  naval  officer. 
He  came  to  the  United  States,  and  selected  Wilmington  for  his 
residence,  and  was  for  years  a  loved  and  honored  citizen.  He  al- 
way  was  reputed  to  be  a  millionaire.  While  in  apparent  health  and 
vigor,  he  was  cut  down  by  apoplexy,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye, 
leaving  a  widow  and  seven  young  children  to  mourn  their  sad  bereave- 
ment. 

Mr.  Ullmann  was  a  man  of  polished  manners  and  noble  appear- 
ance, and  possessed  great  conversational  powers.  He  was  emphat- 
ically a  gentleman  of  the  "  old  school."  Alas !  that  there  should  be 
so  few  successors  to  that  class  of  men. 

We  have  ofttimes  stood  by  the  open  grave  and  seen  an  affectionate 
father  consigned  to  his  last  earthly  abode.  "  Leave  thy  fatherless 
children,  and  I  will  preserve  them  alive,  and  let  thy  widows  trust  in 
me."  And  the  mother  in  the  bloom  of  youth  called  to  resign  the  ten- 
derest  objects  of  her  fostering  care,  and  we  did  "  weep  with  those  who 
wept"  at  the  thrilling  sound  "  earth  to  earth."  Many  of  the  young 
and  lovely  lie  here.  How  often  has  the  "  first-born"  been  a  sacrifice 
to  the  Lord.  Many  such  touching  scenes  might  be  stated  were  we  to 
speak  of  that  only  which  we  know. 

The   monument  near  by  commemorates  a   first-born,  Ferdinand 

Bauduy,  who,  from   his   earliest   years   was  a   child  of  promise,  and 

trained   in    virtue's   ways,  and    the  end  of  his   collegiate  course  was 

crowned  with  honors,  and  he  ready  to  act  his  part  in  a  world  of  cares 

2G 


202  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

at  an  epoch  in  the  manufacturing  interest  which  then  allured  enter- 
prising men. 

He  turned  his  attention  to  the  art  of  dyeing  cloth,  for  which 
France  was  famous,  and  thither  bent  his  steps.  After  he  had  attained 
the  artist's  skill,  he  returned  full  of  life  and  hope,  to  commence  a 
useful  career  on  the  Brandywine,  where  he  married  an  estimable  young 
lady,  the  companion  of  his  early  days,  and  the  daughter  of  E.  J. 
Dupont,  Esq. 

The  sun  of  prosperity  seemed  to  gild  his  outset,  and  cheer  the 
manufacturer  at  his  labor.  But  ah !  the  cruel  spoiler  invaded  his 
domestic  circle,  and  bore  away  one  so  beloved  by  kindred  and  friends. 
"  In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death."  To  the  business  concern  it 
was  "  as  the  shadow  that  steals  over  noonday,"  and  the  sad  event  was 
lamented  by  all  in  the  vicinity,  for  he  who  was  an  ornament  to  society 
and  bid  fair  to  be  a  useful  citizen  was  no  more. 

Those  three  tombstones  are  remeinbrances  of  earthly  happiness. 
One  in  the  centre  covers  the  remains  of  a  venerated  father  and  his 
affectionate  daughter  ;  a  wife  and  mother,  who  suddenly  passed  from 
earthly  joys,  and  on  this  tomb  the  sun  that  lighted  and  cheered  her 
circle,  set  to  rise  no  more.  A  few  brief  years  passed  away,  and  both 
her  sons  died  also,  and  here  lies  their  sleeping  dust  side  by  side. 

"  The  parent,  ever  honored,  ever  dear, 

Claims  from  the  fiUal  breast  the  pious  sigh  : 
A  brother's  mil  demands  the  kindi-ed  tear, 
And  gentle  sorrows  gush  from  friendship's  eye." 

This  small  tribute  of  affection  springs  from  daily  observation. 
Tliey  were  the  most  obedient,  happy,  and  interesting  children  we  have 
ever  known.     E.  M. 

The  pyramid  near  commemorates  Mons.  Hammond  and  his  only 
child,  a  lovely  boy,  borne  away  at  an  interesting  period,  to  the  great 
grief  of  his  parents.  The  father  was  summoned  in  the  prime  of  life 
to  become  an  inmate  of  this  narrow  apartment,  to  mingle  with  the 
dust  of  his  son. 

M.  H.  settled  here  with  other  emigrants,  and  was  a  highly  res- 
pectable citizen  and  kind  master.  H^  manumitted  a  valuable  slave, 
Andrew  Noels,  and  gave  him  five  hundred  dollars  to  purchase  a  house. 

Here  our  attention  is  arrested  by  youths  of  kindred  ties.  There 
is  a  remembrance  of  the  young  and  lovely  Cora  Garesche,  who  in  the 
midst  of  her  bridal  preparations,  in  an  unexpected   hour,  was  con- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  203 

veyed  to  an  eternal  home  ;  and  a  younger  sister,  that,  lately  a  bride, 
is  embosomed  in  the  same  soil. 

On  this  spot  the  family  have  mourned  many  youthful  bereave- 
ments. 

The  account  already  given  concerning  Major  Peter  Jaquett  has 
comprised  many  of  the  incidents  of  his  family  and  of  his  private 
life  ;  but  the  inscription  on  his  tomb,  in  the  burying-ground  of  the 
Swedes'  Church,  intended  to  hand  his  Revolutionary  incidents  to  pos- 
terity, is  so  remarkable  and  historical  that  it  is  probable  it  would  be 
considered  an  omission  not  to  preserve  it  in  these  reminiscences,  as  it 
was  directed  by  himself  to  be  handed  to  the  future  notice  of  posterity. 

SAOEED  TO   THE   MEMORY  OF 

MAJOR    PETER    JAQUETT, 

A  distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolutionarj'  army,  who  died  at  his  residence — 
Long  Hook  Farm — near  this  citj%  September  13th,  A.  D.  1834,  iir  the  80th  5'car  of 
his  age,  having  been  born  on  the  6th  of  April,  1755.  On  the  4th  of  Januaiy,  177G, 
he  joined  the  Delaware  Regiment,  and  until  April,  1780,  he  was  in  every  general 
engagement  under  Washington,  which  took  place  In  Delaware,  Pennsylvania, 
New  Jersey,  New  York,  and  the  Eastern  States  He  was  then  ordered  to  join 
the  Southern  army  under  General  Gates ;  and  with  the  brave  De  Kalb  he  was  in 
the  battle  of  Camden,  of  the  IGth  of  August,  in  which  the  Delaware  Regiment, 
consisting  of  eight  companies,  was  reduced  to  two  only,  of  ninety-six  men  each, 
the  command  of  which  devolved  upon  his  brave  comrade  Kh'kwood  and  himself, 
as  the  oldest  officers  left  of  this  gallant  band.  He  was  also  in  the  battle  of  Guil- 
ford Court  House,  the  second  battle  of  Camden,  and  in  the  battle  of  Eutaw 
Springs.  He  assisted  in  the  siege  of  '96,  and  captme  of  the  village  of  that  name; 
and  was  also  in  every  action  and  skumish  imder  General  Green,  in  whose  army 
he  remained  until  the  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown.  He  returned  to 
his  native  State  in  1782,  and  in  1 794  married  EUza  P.  Price,  daughter  of  Elisha 
Price,  of  Chester,  Pa. ;  and,  as  a  farmer,  he  lived  upon  his  paternal  estate  mUil 
his  death.  The  brave  and  honored  soldier — the  kind  and  obliging  neighbor  and 
friend. 

BENEATH  THIS  STONE  ALSO  EEPOSE  THE  EEMAUS'S  OF 

ELIZA    P.    JAQUETT, 

Wife  of  Major  Peter  Jaquett,  who  was  bom  November  25th,  1769,  and  died  May 
5th,  1834.  SliC  was  an  affectionate  and  devoted  wife,  a  kind  and  humane  mis- 
tress, and  a  warm  and  untuing  friend.  In  early  life  she  became  a  regulai'  mem- 
ber of  the  Episcopal  Church,  to  which  and  its  ordinances  she  always  remained 
devotedly  attached,  titistiug  to  her  Sa^^our  alone  for  pardon  and  forgiveness, 
and  in  his  gracious  promises  for  the  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality. 


204  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Many  interesting  epitaphs,  which  would  swell  our  pages,  are  passed 
by.  But  the  tombs  of  two  young  mothers  attract  our  notice.  One, 
whom  we  knew  well  in  her  early  days  as  Margaret  Stevenson ;  when 
Mrs.  Higgins,  like  a  lovely  flower  she  drooped  and  faded  from  the 
sight,  leaving  her  three  young  children. 

Another  of  more  recent  date  demands  a  passing  tribute,  because 
of  the  same  communion  and  of  few  years.  In  the  midst  of  worldly 
enjoyments,  Mrs.  Mary  Bradford  avowed  herself  on  the  Lord's  side. 
And  when  death  bid  her  at  so  early  an  age  leave  three  infant  children 
and  a  deeply  afflicted  family,  they  were  sustained  by  the  glorious  hope 
that  while  they  were  sorrowing  over  her  grave  she  was  "an  heiress  of 
immortal  bliss." 

We  conclude  our  meditations  amid  the  tombs  with  a  memento  of 
respect  to  Wra.  B.  Brobson,  Esq.,  a  friend  of  many  years.  But  what 
shall  we  say  ?  His  literary  attainments  are  well  known.  His  devo- 
tion to  promote  the  interest  of  his  church  is  acknowledged,  and  his 
removal  from  earthly  scenes  lamented.  There  seems  no  more  for  us 
to  say,  but  to  fill  up  a  meagre  skeleton  with  an  interested  token  of  re- 
membrance and  respect. 

The  influence  of  Mr.  Brobson  more  than  others  elicited  our  con- 
sent to  put  forth  this  volume.  He  thought  too  little  was  known  of 
the  early  days  of  this  ancient  town ;  and  that  the  reminiscences  accom- 
panying it  should  be  rescued  from  oblivion. 

The  interest  he  felt  in  his  birthplace  gave  a  zest  to  the  little  inci- 
dents which  are  carefully  related  in  truthfulness.  We  were  often 
amazed  that  his  comprehensive  mind  could  regard  the  trifles  we  were 
ready  to  toss  ofi*.  He  said,  "Add  all  you  can  that  relates  to  olden 
time.  From  such  hints  information  is  gained."  The  parts  read  to 
him  inspired  a  confidence  to  go  on ;  but  it  is  sincerely  regretted  that 
the  entire  manuscript  was  not  read  to  so  competent  a  judge,  eflicient 
and  friendly  in  detecting  its  omissions. 

OLD   swedes'   church, 

THE   CHRISTIAN   HOME   OF   MY   CHILDHOOD, 

FAREWELL. 

MY   LAST    EARTHLY    RESTING-PLACE, 

FAREWELL. 


OHAPTEE  XIX. 

French  Street— IVIrs.  Way— 1.  H.— Capt.  E.  Brown— Allen  McLane,  Esq  ^J. 
Stapler,  Esq.— School— Gov.  McBjuley — Town  Taken— Anecdotes— Escape 
of  Capt.  M.  and  Capt.  K— Fleet— A  Young  Lady— De  Soiu-ci- Monsieur 
Garesche — Betty  Jackson — Change  in  Scenery — Old  Mansions. 

From  Water  St.,  we  will  walk  up  French  St.,  and  note  persons 
and  events  of  olden  days.  As  some  occupations  were  connected  more 
than  others  with  commerce,  they  will  be  noted  in  passing.  A.  Davis, 
sailmaker,  lived  in  yon  high-roof  frame  on  your  right ;  and  "William 
Fussel,  biscuit  baker,  in  the  old  stone  house  above  Second  St.,  which 
is  now  a  pottery.  He  was*  a  very  worthy  member  of  the  Friends' 
Society.  On  the  northeast  corner  of  Second  St.  was  a  school  of  long 
standing  for  girls. 

"There,  in  her  noisy  mansion,    skilled  to  rule, 
The  village  mistress  taught  her  httle  school ; 
Well  had  the  boding  tremblers  learned  to  trace 
The  day's  disasters  in  her  morning  face." 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  AVay  was  a  celebrated  teacher  of  needlework,  so  im- 
portant for  misses  in  those  times  that  even  the  art  of  shirt-making 
was  strictly  attended  to,  and  fitting  and  cutting  were  taught  here. 
All  were  closely  inspected  by  the  mistress,  and  must  be  done  with 
neatness  and  care.  Most  of  the  older  females,  brought  up  in  this 
town,  have  been  her  pupils. 

Mrs.  Way  was  a  very  respectable  and  worthy  woman  ;  she  had  re- 
ceived an  education  superior  to  most  women  of  her  day,  and  was 
endowed  with  a  strong  mind  and  strict  principles  of  morality,  yet  an 
irritable  temper  was  a  drawback  to  her  usefulness,  and  it  was  annoy- 
ing to  some  of  her  pupils.  She  was  a  disciplinarian  of  the  old  school, 
and  strictly  adhered  to  the  wise  king's  advice.  A  bunch  of  switches 
or  cat-o'-nine  tails  were  freely  used  to  correct  the  naughty. 

Leather  spectacles  were  worn  for  slighted  work.  Much  attention 
was  paid  to  the  position,  for,  if  the  head  leaned  down,  Jamestown 
burs  strung  on  tape  were  ready  for  a  necklace,  or  if  the  person  stooped 
a  Steele  was  at  hand.  This  was  the  length  of  the  waist,  and  held  up 
the  chin  by  a  piece  extending  round  the  neck,  and  a  strap  confined  it 
26*  205 


206  REMINI8GEN0E8    OF   WiLMINOTON. 

down.  It  was  not  very  comfortable  to  the  wearer,  though  fitted  to 
make  the  "crooked  ways  straight" — but  a  morocco  spider  worn  on 
the  back,  confined  to  the  shoulders  by  a  belt,  was  more  usual. 

The  celebrated  painter  Benjamin  West  had  been  the  companion  of 
Mrs.  Way's  childhood  and  youth.  As  absent  friends,  they  kept  up  a 
correspondence  in  age,  and  it  seemed  much  pleasure  to  her  to  relate 
anecdotes  of  his  early  days. 

Isaac  Hendrickson,  of  Swedish  descent,  and  then  one  of  the  most 
respectable  shipping  merchants,  married  her  only  daughter,  a  hand- 
some and  lovely  woman,  and  highly  esteemed.  He  owned  the  oppo- 
site corner  where  they  lived.  Mrs,  AVay  was  aged,  and  had  declined 
teaching  to  reside  with  her  daughter.  Her  only  son,  a  young  physi- 
cian, was  also  an  inmate  of  this  family.  Mrs.  H.  and  the  Dr.  both 
fell  victims  to  the  fever  in  1798.  This  sore  calamity  "  brought  down 
her  gray  hairs  in  sorrow  to  the  grave."  "  If  I  am  bereaved  of  ray 
children,  I  am  bereaved." 

Capt.  Elisha  Brown,  a  worthy  townsman,  purchased  this  house, 
intending  to  reside  there  on  his  return  from  the  last  voyage  he  ex- 
pected to  make  by  sea.  It  proved  the  last,  for  neither  vessel  nor  crew 
were  ever  heard  of.  A  widow  and  two  children  mourned  the  loss  of 
an  affectionate  husband  and  father.  "  He  shall  not  return  thither 
any  more." 

Col.  Allen  McLane,  an  officer  in  the  revolution,  and  long  collector 
of  this  port,  was  the  next  owner,  and  was  here,  the  custom  house 
office,  long  after  his  death.  The  house  above  is  an  old  relic,  once  the 
property  of  John  Stapler,  donor  of  the  land  occupied  by  the  almshouse. 

The  Tranberg  house  has  been  minutely  described,  yet  a  little  inci- 
dent of  the  revolution  may  be  in  place.  While  the  British  had  pos- 
session here,  two  officers,  in  passing,  espied  the  portrait  of  Col.  Ben- 
zell,  and  stopped  to  inquire  his  history.  They  were  politely  informed 
that  he  died  in  his  majesty's  service,  commander  at  Crown  Point,  and 
this  was  the  home  of  his  widow.  "  Madam,"  he  replied,  "  let  it  hang 
in  sight,  and  your  family  will  be  protected."     They  were  protected. 

Mrs.  Phebe  Vining  lived  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Third  street, 
and  this  house  was  for  many  years  afterwards  the  residence  of  J.  A. 
Bayard,  Esq.  It  was  occupied  next  by  Gov.  Bassett,  his  father-in- 
law.  The  northwest  corner,  now  a  coachmaker's  shop,  is  of  great  no- 
toriety ;  and  here  we  pause  to  recount  deeds  of  the  Revolution,  and 
from  which  you  must  conclude  this  was  the  court-end  of  the  town. 

Somewhere  about  1760,  in  an  orchard  near  this  corner,  was  a  frame 


Reminiscences   of  Wilmington.  207 

building,  where  a  learned  Scotchman  kept  a  classical  school,  and  he 
was  styled  Master  Wilson.  Having  but  few  pupils  to  study  the  lan- 
guages, his  large  number  was  made  up  of  boys  and  girls,  varying  in 
ages. 

There  Dr.  Nicholas  Way  was  partly  educated,  and  Samuel  Cauby, 
and  many  others.  M)^  mother  was  also  a  pupil  at  the  same  time,  and 
it  was  so  unusual  for  girls  to  be  taught  arithmetic  farther  than  simple 
division,  that  even  thus  far  in  figures  was  deemed  absurd.  "  For 
what  use,"  said  these  primitive  villagers,  "  can  it  be  to  woman  ?" 
But  my  mother's  fondness  for  this  branch  induced  her  parents,  by  the 
master's  advice,  to  let  her  proceed  through  the  "double  rule  of  three," 
and  for  her  perseverance  she  ofttimes  had  to  bear  the  taunts,  and  be 
called  "  a  tom-boy  with  her  big  slate." 

Dr.  James  McKinley  occupied  this  frame,  which  was  moved  back, 
when  he  built  this  mansion,  now  a  relic  of  other  days.  A  neat  garden 
with  choice  fruit  ornamented  with  flowers,  especially  tulips,  then  rare, 
extended  to  King  street,  and  it  was  kept  in  order  by  his  faithful  ser- 
vant Fortune,  a  native  of  Guinea,  who  lived  to  a  great  age.  The 
clean  walk  of  white  Irish  gravel,  brought  by  Capt.  Jefiries,  and  spread 
the  length  of  the  square,  is  remembered.  Here  the  celebrated  A.  H. 
Rowan  often  paced,  meditating  on  the  land  he  never  expected  to  visit 
again,  while  many  a  sigh  escaped,  and,  on  hearing  the  tune  of  "  Erin 
go  bragh"  whistled  or  sung,  he  would  abruptly  depart. 

Dr.  McKinley  pursued  his  profession  until  death  ended  his  career, 
in  1796.  His  remains  lie  in  the  old  Presbyterian  cemetery,  and  his 
bounty  to  that  church  is  commemorated  on  a  pillar  at  the  gateway. 
A  widow  was  his  only  surviving  relative. 

Dr.  McKinley,  in  '77  was  governor  of  this  province.  After  the 
battle  of  Brandywine,  the  British  quietly  entered  the  town  at  night, 
when  silence  reigned  and  the  agitated  spirits  had  sunk  to  sweet  re- 
pose. His  excellency  was  disturbed  by  the  sound  of  voices  and  pat- 
tering of  feet.  On  raising  the  window,  his  surprise  was  overpowering 
to  see  his  mansion  surrounded  by  so  strong  a  guard,  and  to  feel  him- 
self a  prisoner. 

The  following  morning  was  market  morning,  and  the  scarcity  of 
provisions  drew  people  thither  early.  Two  females  met,  and  ex- 
pressed their  indignation  at  seeing  red-coats  parading  the  streets  with 
freedom,  and  censured  the  police  for  permitting  it.  A  British  ofHcer 
overheard  their  confabulation  about  what  ought  to  be  done  with  his 
majesty's  soldiers,  and  stepped  forward,  gently  touching  the   elder 


208  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

lady's  arm,  said,  "  Madam,  do  you  know  that  you  arc  all  prisoners  ? 
Be  advised  to  return  to  your  homes."  The  admonition  was  promptly 
obeyed.  Miss  Peggy  Allison,  a  worthy  lady,  long  known  and  res- 
pected, who  died  here  in  old  age,  made  the  severe  remark  to  Miss 
Hannah  Shallcross,  a  belle  of  her  day. 

Capt.  H.  Montgomery  had  removed  his  family  to  Salem,  N.  J., 
and  proffered  his  services  to  Gen.  Washington  previous  to  the  battle. 
His  wife's  sister,  who  was  a  widow,  had  resolved  to  remain  by  her 
property  in  town.  He  lodged  there  on  the  memorable  night,  and  of- 
fered to  market  for  her  in  the  morning ;  and  was  leisurely  passing 
on,  at  gray  dawn,  when  he  espied  the  governor's  house  surrounded  by 
red-coats.  At  once  he  thought  of  his  precarious  situation,  for  he  was 
aware  of  their  threats  to  send  him  to  England  should  they  capture 
him  ;  and  his  fate  seemed  clearly  sealed,  for  he  knew  that  any  attempt 
to  escape  would  be  in  vain. 

Therefore  he  dauntlessly  walked  up  to  the  commanding  officer  and 
bowed.  Happily  for  him  his  dress  was  a  complete  suit  of  black,  having 
no  other  change  in  town,  and  the  officer  fancied  that  he  was  a  Pres- 
byterian Minister,  and  saluted  him  politely,  saying,  "  Sir,  you  see  the 
town  is  taken,  and  you  had  better  retire  until  later  in  the  day,  when 
order  will  be  established,  and  you  can  walk  unmolested." 

The  captain  thanked  him  and  turned.  When  his  name  and  resi- 
dence were  demanded,  he  pointed  to  his  lodging,  but  evaded  the 
name.  The  officer  made  many  inquiries ;  how  far  the  fleet  could 
come  up  on  tide,  the  distance  of  the  channel  from  the  shore,  &c.  The 
captain  promptly  answered,  and  having  observed  the  favorable  mis- 
take, it  diffused  a  cheering  hope  of  escape. 

Capt.  Kean,  of  the  militia,  was  also  here.  A  protracted  ague  had 
left  him  sallow  and  emaciated,  and  he  was  depressed  and  exhausted 
by  fatigue.  A  report  that  a  file  of  soldiers  were  in  search  of  two 
rebel  officers  induced  them  to  keep  out  of  the  way  by  secreting 
themselves,  and  ofttimes  changing  place.  Their  last  resort  was 
behind  a  stack  of  chimneys  in  a  garret  of  the  custom-house,  before 
noticed. 

While  they  were  in  this  predicament,  the  soldiers  ascended  and 
flourished  their  swords  around  the  chimneys,  and  more  than  once 
were  near  cutting  them.  The  garret  was  empty  and  dark.  At  length 
they  gave  over  the  search,  exclaiming,  with  oaths,  "  it  was  a  poor 
place,  although  the  exterior  was  so  good  looking,"  Mrs.  Littler,  the 
hostess,  said  they  were  young  housekeepers,  and  very  poor,  and  this 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  209 

was  only  a  temporary  residence.     The  truth  was,  their  furniture  had 
been  removed. 

The  abode  of  John  Stapler  yet  stands  next  door,  He  was  a  plain 
Friend,  and  firmly  adhered  to  royalty,  yet  true  to  the  rebels  in  this 
dark  hour.  His  aid  was  solicited,  and  promptly  granted.  Many 
plans  were  cogitated,  when  Capt.  Montgomery  suggested  to  procure  a 
large  vest  for  Capt.  Kean,  and  pad  it  to  give  him  the  appearance  of 
corpulence. 

The  scheme  was  approved,  and  Friend  Stapler  borrowed  one  of 
John  Benson,  a  remai-kably  corpulent  man,  that  took  a  pillow  to  pad, 
and  dressed  him  in  a  plain  Quaker  garb  of  his  own,  with  a  low- 
crowned  and  broad-brimmed  hat.  Under  the  wing  of  royalty,  and 
for  his  staff'  a  would-be  parson,  the  trio  sallied  forth  for  the  invalid  to 
breathe  fresh  air,  and  he  was  really  much  refreshed  by  the  hope  of 
escape. 

A  British  officer  met  them  and  sympathized  with  the  afflicted  gen- 
tleman, inquiring  how  long  he  had  been  dropsical.  This  was  a  happy 
hit,  and  his  kindness  was  most  encouraging.  Permission  was  asked 
to  extend  their  walk,  which  was  cheerfully  granted.  Late  in  the 
afternoon  a  third  sally  out  was  effected.  The  sentinel  had  seen  thera 
in  conversation  with  the  officer,  and,  besides,  he  had  been  ordered  to 
let  them  pass. 

No  sooner  were  they  out  of  his  sight  than  the  pillow  was  dropped, 
and  they  made  their  way  with  a  quick  step  to  Brandywine,  saying, 
"  Arise !  let  us  flee !  for  we  shall  not  else  escape !  Make  speed  to 
depart,  lest  they  overtake  us  suddenly  and  bring  evil  upon  us !" 

The  boat  was  on  the  other  side  in  charge  of  an  intoxicated  man, 
which  caused  delay  in  getting  over  the  creek.  At  length  they  suc- 
ceeded ;  but  an  evil-disposed  woman  had  given  information  who  they 
were,  and  as  they  put  off"  the  boat  the  soldiers  made  a  rush  to  the 
shore,  and  with  threats  ordered  them  to  return,  firing  their  muskets. 

But  one  held  the  boatman  while  the  other  paddled  over  rejoicing, 
and  tied  the  poor  fellow  to  a  tree,  and  took  refuge  in  a  corn-field, 
which  screened  them  for  a  time.  With  cautious  footsteps  they  paced 
through  the  rustling  corn,  until  night  discomfited  their  pursuers. 
Then  wading  through  marshes  and  leaping  ditches,  ere  the  morning 
dawned  they  reached  the  Delaware  shore. 

Part  of  the  British  fleet  lay  in  the  stream,  and  this  they  must  pass 
through.      It  was  a  sad  dilemma.     There  was  no  time  to  deliberate  or 
for  any  percautiouary  measures.     An  old  batteau  was  fastened  at  a 
27 


210  Reminisgenges  of  Wilmington. 

fishing-place.  As  it  was  their  only  resource,  they  hastily  sprang  into 
it,  and  were  no  sooner  off  the  shore  than,  to  their  horror,  they  found  it 
leaky  and  one  side  broken. 

To  cross  in  so  fragile  a  boat  they  knew  was  hazardous ;  but  there 
was  no  alternative.  Capt.  Kean,  in  his  delicate  health,  lay  in  the 
bottom  merged  in  water,  baling  it  out  with  his  hat,  while  his  most 
strenuous  efforts  could  scarcely  keep  the  shattered  bark  from  sinking, 
and  Capt.  Montgomery  paddled  over  the  river  amid  the  enemy's 
ships.  They  were  twice  hailed,  but,  silently  pursuing  their  way, 
gave  no  answer,  and  the  officer  on  board  the  ship  thought  it  might  be 
a  delusion. 

This  dreary  night  the  sky  was  veiled  in  darkness,  and  they  were 
on  the  deep  with  only  a  decayed  plank  to  cling  to.  Their  feelings 
were  of  intense  concern,  though  they  had  so  lately  faced  the  mouth  of 
cannon.  They  Avere  almost  ready  to  conclude  that  their  fate  as 
prisoners  on  the  preceding  day  was  less  gloomy,  or  had  they  been  tak- 
en by  the  enemy's  ships  safer.  But  as  the  morning  dawned,  they 
landed  in  triumph  on  the  Jersey  shore,  and  viewing  the  planks  that 
had  borne  them  over,  they  acknowledged  a  superintending  Providence. 

Once  more  their  way  was  through  a  corn  field,  and  as  they  reached 
a  copse  of  wood,  they  saw  a  cabin,  and  sought  admittance.  A  well 
known  voice  saluted  them  with  a  hearty  welcome.  Thomas  Crow,  a 
worthy  townsman,  had  fled  from  the  foe,  and  found  in  this  humble 
retreat  a  safe  asylum  for  his  family,  where  liberty  and  kind  friends  were 
hailed  as  joyous  blessings. 

Authentic  anecdotes  of  revolutionary  days  are  sought  out  with  such 
earnestness  that  we  are  induced  to  state  all  that  have  fallen  in  our  way. 
Previous  to  the  battle,  a  woman  meanly  attired  called  at  the  residence 
of  Joseph  Shallcross,  requesting  a  private  interview  with  the  host. 
On  entering  the  room,  she  presented  Mr.  Shallcross  with  a  letter  from 
Gen.  Washington,  wishing  to  obtain  information  of  the  enemy.  The 
letter  was  quilted  in  her  petticoat,  and  an  answer  was  returned  in  the 
same  way. 

This  gentleman  was  a  member  of  Friends'  society,  and  so  deeply 
.interested  in  the  cause  of  independence,  and  in  energetic  efforts  to 
attain  it,  that  was   ofttimes   said   he   only  omitted  to  shoulder   the 
musket. 

The  following  story  was  related  by  the  lady  to  many  of  her  friends. 
Two  oflicers,  one  a  captain  in  the  regular  army,  the  other  of  the 
militia,  on  the  night  the  town  was  taken,  lodged  at  the  house  of  their 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  211 

mother-in-law,  Mrs.  Hansons,  north-west  corner  of  Shipley  and  Han- 
over Sts.  Mrs.  Hanson  was  a  widow  with  two  single  daughters ;  one 
of  them  was  very  handsome,  and  quite  a  belle.  They  were  members 
of  the  Friends'  society.  One  of  these  females  was  awakened  by  the 
sound  of  voices  and  footsteps,  so  unusual  at  the  late  hour,  that  she 
raised  the  window,  and  was  exceedingly  alarmed  to  find  the  house 
surrounded  by  red-coats.  She  aroused  the  family,  who  quietly  assem- 
bled in  the  parlor  to  devise  some  means  for  the  escape  of  the  rebel 
officers.  One  was  in  full  uniform,  and  had  no  change  of  clothes. 
This  was  most  perplexing.  Many  schemes  were  proposed  and  new 
difficulties  presented. 

Miss  Nancy  made  her  proposition,  and  it  was  instantly  adopted. 
In  the  third  story  was  a  large  hearth,  and  the  bricks  were  taken  up 
and  the  sand  removed.  The  military  suit  was  folded  and  wrapped  in 
paper,  and  laid  there,  carefully  replacing  the  bricks.  As  the  morning 
of  a  new  day  dawned,  they  were  puzzled  how  to  obtain  a  suit  for  the 
officer  ;  but  this  young  lady  also  undertook  the  enterprise.  She  ap- 
peared at  the  front  door  very  neatly  dressed,  and  attracted  the  notice 
of  a  British  officer. 

He  politely  saluted  her,  and  she  freely  communicated  to  him  the 
embarrassing  circumstances  of  the  family — that  an  invalid  relative 
had  taken  a  ride  for  change  of  air,  and  was  unavoidably  detained,  and 
that  an  article  from  an  opposite  neighbor  was  wanted  which  was  im- 
portant to  his  comfort,  but  not  one  was  willing  to  venture  across  the 
street.  Feeling  it  a  duty  to  make  the  attempt,  she  requested  his 
protection,  which  was  graciously  granted. 

As  she  entered  the  domicil  of  her  friends,  they  exclaimed  with  up- 
lifted hands  at  her  imprudence.  There  was  no  time  for  explanation. 
She  solicited  a  suit  of  clothes  packed  in  as  small  a  bundle  as  possible, 
and  taking  it  was  escorted  home,  inspired  with  confidence  by  the  suc- 
cessful adventure.  She  thanked  the  polite  officer,  and  invited  him 
with  a  few  of  his  friends  to  partake  of  a  cup  of  coffee  prepared  by 
her.  The  invitation  was  readily  accepted,  and  while  seated  with  them 
at  the  table  an  additional  request  was  made.  She  informed  the  com- 
mandant that  the  carriage  had  been  ordered  at  an  early  hour  to 
convey  the  sick  gentleman  home,  and  she  would  presume  to  solicit  his 
interference  once  more  to  prevent  detenrion. 

Assurance  was  given  that  they  should  not  be  molested.  Tlic 
mother  deemed  it  most  prudent  for  her  adventurous  daughter  to  ac- 
company those  officers  whom  her  ingenious  schemes  had  released.     So 


212  REMINIB0ENCE8    OF    WILMINGTON. 

she  stepped  in  and  took  her  departure.     "  Wherefore,  now  rise  up,  and 
as  soon  as  ye  l)e  up  early  in  the  morning  and  have  light,  depart." 

They  drove  rapidly  to  the  old  ferry,  and  were  scarcely  in  the  scow 
when  they  were  pursued,  and  muskets  fired  as  they  crossed  the  creek. 
The  balls  whistled  over  their  heads,  and  they  made  a  most  lucky  es- 
cape to  Dover,  where  this  young  lady  was  proclaimed  a  heroine  of  the 
eventful  day,  and  in  a  few  years  married  Major  D.  G.  Adams,  an  offi- 
cer of  the  Revolution,  noticed  in  the  reminiscences  of  the  old  Swedes' 
Church.     Col.  Tilton  and  Capt.  Bellach  were  the  officers  rescued. 

At  the  corner  of  Fourth  street  was  the  Erwin  family,  worthy  peo- 
ple of  olden  days.  The  ancestor  was  a  cabinet  maker,  and  owned 
much  property.  One  of  the  daughters  married  Israel  Israel,  who  in 
the  Revolution  lived  on  the  Delaware  shore,  much  exposed  to  the 
enemy.  In  the  absence  of  Mr.  Israel,  they  made  an  attempt  to  carry 
off  his  cattle.  "When  his  wife  knew  their  design,  she  rushed  forward 
with  only  a  boy  and  dog,  and  threw  down  the  bars,  and  drove  the 
cattle  beyond  their  reach.  The  upper  corner  was  once  the  seat  of 
fashion,  when  the  Vining  family  flourished  there. 

In  Sixth  street  near  French  was  an  humble  cottage,  once  an  asy- 
lum for  La  Marquise  De  Sourci  and  her  only  child.  This  desolate 
female,  born  in  high  rank,  accustomed  to  luxurious  plenty  and  ele- 
gance, attended  by  the  nobles  of  her  land,  was  forced  by  the  horrors 
of  the  French  Revolution  of  1789  and  '90,  penniless,  to  seek  a  home 
amid  strangers. 

All  that  was  left  of  her  former  grandeur  was  this  tender  bud  of 
nobility ;  and  without  the  means  to  complete  his  education,  he  too 
might  droop  and  languish  on  a  foreign  soil,  or  become  dependent  in 
adversity,  or  to  fall  a  prey  to  the  canker-worm  of  intemperance,  which 
blighted  so  many  fair  blossoms  in  this  young  Repulic. 

She  was  sensitive  to  her  sad  fate — that  honors,  riches  and  friends 
had  passed  away,  yet  no  retrospective  caused  a  murmur  within  these 
humiile  walls.  Their  energies  were  aroused  by  an  ardent  desire  to  seek 
employment,  and  self-respect  seemed  to  enchain  the  thoughts  of  the 
noble-minded  youth  to  exert  his  ingenuity  even  in  a  small  way  for  the 
support  of  his  decrepit  mother. 

A  broken  back  rendered  exertion  on  her  part  laborious  ;  her  dim- 
inutive person  was  unprepossessing,  yet  she  was  an  accomplished  lady 
of  great  refinement  and  elegance  of  manners. 

A  vine  of  dwarf  gourds  grew  in  the  gardens,  which,  when  ripe, 
young  De  Sourci  gathered,  and  made  of  them  globe  boxes.     The  out- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  213 

side  was  oruamented  by  cutting  figures,  and  staining  and  varnisli- 
ing  it.  He  carried  them  round  the  town,  and  found  a  ready  sale, 
and  the  first  one  he  completed  is  now  in  possession  of  a  lady  in  Wil- 
mington. It  was  either  sold  or  presented  by  him  to  her  mother,  Mrs. 
Bedford. 

Being  encouraged  in  this  effort,  he  most  assiduously  applied  his 
talents  to  invent  novel  articles.  Among  these  was  something  in  the 
shape  of  a  grasshopper  to  skip  over  the  ice.  This  was  a  great  amuse- 
ment, and  drew  crowds  to  see  the  novelty  glance  over  the  Cliristiana. 
He  was  also  famous  for  skating,  but  soon  his  attention  was  turned  to 
building  boats  of  small  size,  and  these,  too,  sold  well.  Then  he  built 
one  of  larger  dimensions,  and  rowed  it  up  the  creek.  This  one  he  soon 
sold,  and  another  also,  for  he  never  wearied  in  his  labors.  They  were 
all  the  work  of  his  own  hands. 

At  last  he  built  one  so  large  that  he  could  cross  the  Delaware,  and 
bring  sand  from  Jersey  to  sell  for  building.  The  wonderftil  exertions 
of  this  meritorious  youth,  and  his  great  success,  was  the  theme  of  con- 
versation. The  sudden  transition,  from  the  loss  of  luxury  and  splen- 
dor to  abject  poverty  and  assiduous  toil,  would  have  been  too  over- 
whelming for  most  minds.  Few  could  have  sustained  their  equilibrium 
under  such  circumstances. 

In  the  midst  of  his  prosperous  career,  his  heart  glowed  with  affec- 
tion for  his  widowed  mother.  Toiler  he  was  devoted,  and  for  her  he 
seemed  to  live.  When  the  toils  of  the  day  were  ended,  the  little  treas- 
ure he  had  earned  was  poured  into  her  lap,  and  her  cheerful  smile  of 
parental  approbation  was  an  ample  reward.  "•Independence  secured 
happiness  and  contentment  in  their  humble  abode,  where  comparative 
comforts  were  few.  They  received  the  kindest  attention  from  those  of 
their  own  nation,  who  would  Avillingly  have  provided  for  all  their 
wants,  for  many  wealthy  French  families  were  here  at  that  day. 

How  mournfully  thrilling  is  the  conclusion  of  our  story.  This 
little  boat,  once  too  heavily  laden,  was  overtaken  by  a  storm  and  up- 
set on  the  Delaware,  and  as  the  blossom  droops  and  dies  beneath  the 
shower,  so  poor  De  Sourci  bowed  to  the  waves  and  died. 

This  sad  event  cast  a  gloom  over  the  community,  for  he  was  gen- 
erally known,  and  regarded  as  an  estimable  young  man.  Boats  filled 
with  anxious  hearts  searched  day  after  day  in  vain  for  his  remains. 
There  was  something  touching  in  the  deep  maternal  sorrow  of  this 
widow,  fallen  from  greatness,  and  now  bereft  indeed.  As  "God  di- 
rects the  good  man's  steps,"  this  sorrowful  scene  awakened  the  sym- 
27* 


214  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

piitliy  of  hcv  steadfast  fi-ieiKl,  tlic  benevolent  Dr.  Bayard.  Under  his 
hospitable  roof,  her  afflictions  were  soothed  with  the  tendcrest  care, 
until  death  released  him  from  his  charge.  Hence  the  Marchioness  Dc 
Sourci  was  borne  from  his  mansion  to  the  old  Swedes'  cemetery,  to  lie 
by  his  side  until  the  resurrection  morn  ;  "  for  the  trumpet  shall  sound 
and  the  dead  shall  be  raised." 

In  later  years,  a  blind  man  lived  with  his  grandmother,  Mrs.  Ann 
Sperry,  an  old  inhabitant,  and  a  very  worthy  member  of  Trinity 
Church.  She  was  desirous  to  have  a  large  poplar  tree  which  was 
before  her  front  door  cut  down.  This  blind  man  climbed  the  tree  with  a 
rope,  which  he  tied  to  the  top,  holding  on  as  he  descended,  then  fas- 
tened it  to  a  post  at  the  corner  of  the  street  below.  He  cut  it  around 
with  his  axe,  frequently  trying  the  rope,  until  he  found  it  give  way. 
Then,  by  keeping  at  a  proper  distance,  he  accomplished  the  work  by 
his  own  hands.  T.  Moore,  who  still  lives  near  the  spot,  saw  him 
achieve  thil  feat.  Thomas  Byrnes  could  readily  find  any  place  in 
town,  and  was  a  most  regular  attendant  at  the  old  church,  and  always 
occupied  the  same  seat  in  it. 

Dr.  Didie's  old  house  is  a  relic  of  other  days  yet  standing.  He 
was  a  French  physician,  held  in  great  estimation  by  the  emigrants. 

Adjoining  Avas  the  well  that  gave  rise  to  the  story  related  of  the 
sailor.  An  open  square  was  then  opposite ;  now  a  large  Wesleyan 
seminary  occupies  the  space,  ofttimes  numbering  one  hundred  board- 
ers. Within  ten  years,  these  two  squares  have  been  filled  with  hand- 
some houses.  Then  comes  an  old  establishment,  known  as  the  Ga- 
resche  house.  Two  houses  were  purchased  by  Mr.  Garesche,  a  French 
emigrant,  and  united  by  making  great  improvements.  An  ornamental 
garden,  arranged  with  taste,  extended  to  Walnut  street ;  then  it  opened 
to  the  next  square  below,  and  the  whole  was  a  grass  lot  bordered  with 
Lombardy  poplar  trees.  Fruit  trees  w-ere  interspersed  through  the 
square,  and  with  fanciful  walks.  Near  the  centre  was  a  brick  build- 
ing of  octagon  form. 

In  w'inter  it  w^as  used  as  a  hot-house,  and  Jin  summer  as  a  saloon, 
where  many  joyous  hours  were  passed,  for  in  those  days  the  French 
families  entertained  very  handsomely,  and  they  constituted  a  large 
and  refined  society  of  themselves. 

On  the  top  of  this  saloon  was  a  summer-house  of  lattice  work,  en- 
circled by  a  balcony,  with  seats  and  stands  for  flower-pots,  tastefully 
arranged.  The  whole  was  in  perfect  keeping,  and  an  ornament  to  the 
townVhile  in  possession  of  the  respectable  and  wealthy  owner,  whose 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  216 

remains,  with  many  others  of  the  same  family,  are  mingling  in  the 
dust  of  the  old  Swedes'  cemetery. 

The  corner  above  was  the  residence  of  Dr.  Bayard,  whose  benevo- 
lent character  has  been  portrayed. 

Long  before,  and  sueceding  the  Revolution,  an  establishment  just 
above  was  celebrated  for  its  nice  refreshments,  where  everything  was 
the  best  of  its  kind.  There  were  all  sorts  of  beverages,  and  every  va- 
riety of  cakes  and  fruits.  Tea  parties  were  common  here,  for  order 
and  neatness  presided  over  the  domain  of  Betty  Jackson,  a  colored 
woman  of  more  than  ordinary  capability. 

As  the  queeu  of  her  class,  she  knew  how  to  rule,  and  her  subordi- 
nates were  submissive  and  attentive.  Those  who  came  to  purchase 
cakes  walked  up  the  alley.  Her  best  parlor  was  fitted  up  for  exclu- 
sives  only,  and  we  remember 

"  The  white-washed  wall,  the  nicely  sanded  floor, 
The  polished  clock  that  clicked  behind  the  door ; 
The  pictures  placed  for  ornament  and  use. 
The  twelve  good  rules,  the  royal  game  of  goose  ; 
The  hearth,  except  when  winter  chilled  the  day. 
With  aspen  boughs  and  leaves,  and  fennel  gay  ; 
While  China  tea-cups,  wisely  kept  for  show. 
Ranged  o'er  the  chimney,  gUstened  in  a  row." 

From  the  balconv  on  the  east  was  a  flight  of  steps  that  ascended 
into  a  noble  willow.  Here  a  platform  seated  twelve  or  more  persons, 
where  you  had  an  extensive  view  of  the  Delaware  for  miles.  Beneath 
was  a  tasteful  flower  garden,  from  which  many  a  bouquet  was  selected. 
The  scenery  was  very  attractive. 

Betty  died  in  old  age,  much  respected,  leaving  valuable  property ; 
and  it  is  creditable  to  say  part  of  it  still  belongs  to  her  descendants, 
who  occupy  the  place.  Her  eldest  son,  Jeremiah  Shad,  was  many 
years  one  of  our  principal  butchers,  famous  for  curing  meat,  and  died 
respected  as  an  industrious,  useful  man.  Her  youngest  son,  Gabriel 
Jackson,  was  like  his  father,  a  ship  carpenter  and  master  builder.  He 
built  the  brig  Keziah,  which  was  long  in  the  Irish  trade,  and  brought 
its  hundreds  of  passengers  to  this  town. 

Above  this  place,  some  fifty  years  ago,  the  colored  people  built 
their  first  meeting-house  of  stone,  called  Ezion  Geber.  It  has  been  en- 
larged, with  a  cemetery  kept  in  order,  and  under  the  Methodist  gov- 
ernment. 

A  party  seceded,  who  now  have  a  large  brick  meeting-house.  They 


216  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

are  independent,  though  Methodist.  For  years  Peter  Spencer,  an  ex- 
emplary colored  man,  was  their  ruler.  His  tact  to  govern  was  won- 
derful, and  his  influence  unbounded.  When  death  summoned  him 
from  his  useful  sphere,  all  classes  of  citizens  lamented  his  departure. 
This  has  also  a  large  cemetery,  kept  in  neat  order. 

Hence  to  Brandywine  were  fine  orchards,  rows  of  cherry  and  pear 
trees  along  the  fence,  with  plenty  of  small  fruit  by  the  wayside,  where 
the  winged  families  tuned  their  notes.  Lots  of  luxuriant  wheat  yield- 
ing immense  crops,  green  corn  waving  its  lofty  tassels  as  the  Avind 
Avhistled  through,  made  one  feel  that  surely  peace  and  plenty  reigns 
here. 

But  the  art  of  man  has  changed  the  face  of  nature,  driven  away 
the  feathered  tribes,  and  given  place  to  new  tenants. 

Two  relics  occupy  the  last  corners  of  French  street.  One  is 
surrounded  by  noble  buttonwoods ;  and  ancient  shubbery  and  ivied 
walls  proclaim  antiquity.  Alas !  the  worthy  inmates  once  so  busy  in 
setting  those  mills  in  motion,  giving  life  and  energy  to  the  scenery,  and 
dispensing  blessings  among  the  industrious  poor,  and  the  cotemporaries 
of  the  Shipleys  and  Pooles,  are  slumbering  in  narrow  cells  of  their 
frail  mortality. 

Meanwhile  the  trees,  shrubs,  and  tiny  sprigs  of  ivy,  planted  by 
their  hands,  are  luxuriating  in  verdure  and  flourishing  around  their 
mansions.  They  cling  so  fondly  to  the  old  home  that  they  creep  into 
every  crevice,  and  entwine  on  the  walls  as  if  to  commemorate  the 
sleeping  dust  of  those  by  whose  fostering  care  they  were  nurtured  in 
tender  years,  and  trained  in  the  way  of  vigorous  beauty. 


CHAPjTEE    XX. 

King  Street— Capt.  Giles— A  thriliug  story— Gilpins— Anecdote— Mrs.  Wallace 
—Eli  MendenluUl— Capt.  Jeffiies— William  Cook— Trinity  Chapel— Dr.  E. 
A.  Smith's  family — Capt  J.  Nicholson 

King  Street  claims  our  notice,  to  bring  out  things  new  and  old. 
The  frame  house  corner  of  Water  Street  belonged  to  the  Bush  family. 
In  colonial  days,  the  north-west  corner  of  Front  Street  was  the  resi- 
dence of  Capt.  Giles,  a  rich  merchant,  who  had  seen  much  of  life  on 
the  ocean,  and  had  lived  years  in  village  simplicity,  but  neither  had 
subdued  his  ambition.     He  gloried  in  his  English  ancestry. 

His  only  son  was  a  youth  of  noble  appearance,  good  demeanor,  and 
the  pride  of  his  father's  heart ;  and  his  only  daughter,  for  whom  he 
designed  an  honorable  alliance,  was  to  share  his  possessions.  Her 
person  was  comely,  and  one  placed  in  such  auspicious  circumstances 
rarely  fails  to  attract  admirers,  and  many  offers  were  rejected  until 
young  Malcolm  paid  his  addresses  to  her. 

His  deportment  was  manly,  and  his  person  prepossessing,  and  he 
too  was  an  only  son,  who  would  inherit  much  of  this  world's  goods. 
He  was  no  stranger,  for  his  home  was  at  Monckton  Park,  only  across 
the  stream.  His  suit  was  crowned  with  success,  and  pleasing  to  both 
families,  so  an  early  wedding  day  was  fixed,  and  numerous  invita- 
tions were  sent  out,  and  great  jireparations  made  to  entertain  in  all 
the  pomp  that  a  village  life  could  display. 

The  anticipated  evening  arrived,  and  was  passed  in  joyous  festivity. 
The  Swedish  minister  performed  the  ceremonial  rite,  and  the  young 
villagers  were  bewildered  by  the  splendor,  for  such  notions  of  elegance 
had  never  before  disturbed  their  rustic  habits.  Festive  gaiety  and 
new  amusements  filled  each  day  for  two  weeks. 

On  a  fine  morning,  a  few  young  men  fitted  out  a  boat  to  sail  on 
the  Delaware,  intending  to  return  by  early  tea-time,  as  company  was 
to  assemble  in  the  evening.  About  the  hour  they  were  expected  to  be 
homeward  bound  it  grew  dark,  the  clouds  lowered,  and  the  lightning 
flashed  in  vivid  streaks.  Thunder  louder  and  louder  jjroclainied  the 
majesty  of  Omnipotence,  while  the  wind  howled  in  terrific  grandeur. 

The  doting  father  paced  the  floor  intensely  anxious,  for  he  well 
knew  the  perils  of  deep  water  where  there  were  no  skilful  hands  to 
28  217 


218  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

manage  sails  or  oars!  As  his  alarm  increased,  the  household  were 
thrown  into  paroxysms  of  frenzy.  Ere  nightfall  the  storm  almted,  and 
hope  revived.  Experienced  boatmen  were  dispatched,  but  no  tidings 
came  to  the  loved  ones.     Midnight  passed  over  in  solemn  sadness. 

By  morning  dawn  an  express  arrived  from  a  brig  in  sight  that  the 
crew  had  witnessed  the  awful  catastrophe  of  a  boat  upset  in  the  height 
of  the  storm,  and  not  a  soul  spared  to  tell  the  thrilling  story.  By 
timely  exertions  a  few  bodies  were  grappled  from  their  watery  grave, 
among  whom  were  the  bridegroom  and  his  brother.  Their  funeral 
rites  were  solemnized  in  the  old  Swedish  cemetery,  by  the  rector  who 
had  so  lately  officiated  at  the  wedding. 

What  a  sudden  transition !  Now  the  house  of  feasting  was  changed 
to  the  house  of  mourning,  from  the  brightest  sunshine  to  the  deepest  woe. 
The  hopes  of  two  families  were  no  more,  and  ere  the  orange  blossoms 
that  adorned  the  bride  were  withered,  the  widows'  weeds  were  worn  to 
mourn  the  youthful  husband  of  her  affections,  and  a  brother  who  had 
been  the  idol  of  her  heart*  This  melancholy  event  east  a  gloom  over 
the  town. 

In  a  few  years  Capt.  Josej^h  Gilpin  married  this  widow,  and  long 
occupied  her  father's  house,  of  which  he  became  the  owner. 

A  young  lady  to  whom  Capt.  Gilpin  had  paid  some  attentions  felt 
disappointed  on  hearing  of  the  gay  wedding,  and  of  his  bright  pros- 
pects in  marrying  an  heiress.  She  inquired  of  her  informant  "  what 
was  the  amount  of  her  supposed  inheritance."  He  replied  "  Twenty- 
four  hundred  pounds."  This  was  sterling  money,  and  a  great  sum  in 
those  days.  She  sighed,  and  said,  "  Do  you  believe  it  is  so  much  ? 
Why,  then,  it  must  be  in  logwood."  Capt.  Giles  at  that  time  had  a 
large  quantity  of  this  article  on  hand,  which  had  declined  in  value, 
and  this  little  incident  is  to  show,  as  we  proceed,  that  great  traffic  was 
carried  on  here  in  dye-stuffs. 

Capt.  Gilpin  was  considered  one  of  the  handsomest  men  in  the 
country,  and  in  advanced  age  moved  to  the  west,  more  than  half  a 
century  ago.  In  1831,  at  the  age  of  eighty -five,  he  applied  for  a  pen- 
sion for  revolutionary  services.  At  the  same  time  his  brother,  Israel 
Gilpin,  aged  ninety-three  years,  presented  a  petition  for  like  services. 
The  latter  raised  the  first  military  company  in  this  town  to  join  the 
revolutionary  army,  of  which  he  was  the  captain. 

Next  door,  in  Front  street,  was  long  the  residence  of  Capt.  Walker, 
who  followed  a  seafaring  life,  but  died  at  home,  full  of  years.  His 
nephew  was  lost  at  sea,  in  the  noted  brig  Friday. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  219 

At  the  southwest  corner  of  Second  and  King  streets  was  long  the 
residence  of  Edward  Gilpin,  a  most  worthy  gentleman.  He  removed 
to  live  with  his  sons  at  Phi]adel))hia,  Avhore  he  died  in  1844,  at  eighty- 
four  years  of  age.  He  had  a  large  family  of  children,  among  whom 
was  Charles  Gilpin,  Esq.,  the  present  mayor  of  Philadelphia. 

Ca})t.  Samuel  Bush  has  ]>een  noticed  in  tracing  the  line  of  packets 
to  Philadeli)hia.  Fronting  the  market  was  the  residence  of  Mrs. 
Bail,  a  widow,  well  known  and  highly  appreciated — and  for  its  nov- 
elty, a  story  will  be  related  respecting  the  romantic  adventures  of  one 
domesticated  in  her  family. 

It  was  the  birth-place  of  this  heroine,  and  she  was  caressed  by 
every  kind  hearted  member  of  her  home.  But  as  soon  as  her  capa- 
bility to  act  for  herself  was  known,  she  presumed  on  their  ^affection, 
and  discovered  a  shocking  propensity  to  pilfer. 

Being  an  epicure,  she  spared  nothing  that  suited  her  taste.  This 
so  annoyed  the  females  of  the  household  that  it  chilled  their  affections, 
and  they  agreed  to  part  with  her,  and  send  her  to  a  place  provided  in 
the  country. 

However,  Miss  Perseverance  preferred  her  old  home,  and  returned, 
resolving  to  remain  there.     This  was  perplexing,  and  a  difficulty  en- , 
sued  to  procure  a  distant  home,  which  was  changed  again  and  again — 
but  she  determined  not  to  give  up  her  birthright  for  a  mess  of  pottage. 

At  length  Captain  Hampton,  a  friend  of  the  fiiniily,  who  was 
loading  a  brig  here,  belonging  to  Philadelphia,  proffered  to  take  this 
worrying  inmate  to  the  West  Indies,  and  if  she  proved  worthy  by 
kind  treatment,  he  would  retain  her  in  his  service ;  but  if  perverse,  he 
might  leave  her  to  her  fate  in  a  foreign  land.  At  all  events,  her  old 
home  was  no  more  to  be  troulilcd  by  such  an  incorrigible  spirit. 

The  morning  of  taking  a  final  leave  was  rather  an  exciting  scene, 
as  she  was  to  embark  on  the  wide  ocean,  and  perhaps  be  left  to  seek  a 
homie  among  strangers.  However,  she  was  happy  and  useful  on  board 
the  vessel,  and  became  a  pet  with  the  sailors. 

The  brig  made  a  ijrosjierous  voyage,  and  was  no  sooner  safe  at 
Chestnut  street  wharf  than  Madam  Pussey  secured  her  i)assage  in 
Capt.  Bush's  packet,  and  next  morning  paid  her  respects  in  Mrs.  Bail's 
parlor,  to  the  astonished  fiimily  ;  and  though  a  mute,  she  manifested 
the  most  joyous  feelings  by  her  expressive  signs.  Henceforth  lier 
faults  were  overlooked,  and  her  days  were  ended  in  peace  in  her  youth- 
ful home. 

On  the  south  side  of  Second  street  market  was  an  old  house  long 


220  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

the  residence  of  Thomas  Wallace,  a  block  maker,  who  was  also  con- 
nected with  commerce.  A  little  incident  of  this  family  in  the  Revo- 
lution will  point  to  things  in  troublous  times.  The  industrious  habits 
of  these  people  procured  them  all  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  something 
to  spare.  They  were  never  in  want,  but  when  the  British  took  pos- 
session of  the  town,  they  had  only  continental  money,  and  this  was 
worse  than  useless,  because  care  must  be  taken  to  conceal  it.  Now 
they  were  destitute. 

Mrs.  Wallace  went  to  a  kind  neighbor,  Mrs.  Shallcross,  and  re- 
quested to  borrow  twelve  shillings  in  hard  money  to  supply  their  press- 
ing need.  This  was  readily  granted,  and  soon  after,  she  informed  Mrs. 
Shallcross  how  abundantly  they  were  supplied  with  hard  money  by  an 
accidental  circumstance. 

The  British  soldiers  drew  flour  in  their  rations,  and  it  was  so  diffi- 
cult to  get  it  baked  that  one  of  them  came  and  implored  her  to  bake 
it  for  him.  In  pity,  she  made  him  good  bread,  and  he  insisted  on  her 
taking  half  of  the  flour,  as  there  was  more  than  sufficient  for  him. 
This  was  noised  abroad,  and  crowds  came  to  beg  her  to  make  bread, 
and  as  she  could  readily  sell  all  there  was  to  spare,  it  soon  filled  her 
pockets  with  hard  money. 

The  daughter  married  Capt.  Baker,  who  was  lost  at  sea,  neither 
vessel  nor  crew  being  ever  heard  of. 

On  the  opposite  side  was  Eli  Mendenhall's  card  manufactory,  and 
in  every  family  a  wheel  was  used  some  part  of  the  day,  for  hired  girls 
spent  their  evenings  in  spinning.  Mr.  Mendenhall  did  a  large  busi- 
ness. Old  women  and  children  earned  money  by  setting  cards,  and 
when  this  business  was  superseded  by  machinery,  it  was  deeply  de- 
plored as  the  means  of  depriving  such  persons  of  their  daily  bread. 
Mr.  Mendenhall  also  kept  a  dry  goods  store  on  one  side,  and  a  gro- 
cery on  the  other  side,  and  in  old  age  he  died  an  honest,  estimable 
man. 

Thomas  Crow  and  Jonas  Aldrick,  both  watchmakers,  were  on  this 
square  in  days  gone  by,  and  were  worthy  men.  The  latter  was  of 
Swedish  descent,  and  his  ancestors  were  colonists. 

Midway  of  this  square,  in  King  street,  was  the  residence  of  Capt. 
James  Jeffries,  who  sailed  long  from  this  port,  and  was  a  very  respect- 
able shipmaster  and  owner.  The  ships  Wilmington  and  Neptune  were 
owned  in  part  by  him.  After  a  useful  life  spent  on  the  ocean,  he  re- 
tired to  his  farm  in  Chester  county,  there  to  end  his  earthly  career. 

Here  too  was  the  house  of  Capt.  Jacob  Brinton.     He  sailed  a  brig 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  221 

which  was  owned  in  part  by  our  worthy  friend  James  Lea,  whose  two 
sons,  promising  young  men,  were  on  board,  and  no  tidings  of  them 
ever  reached  their  friends,  or  clue  to  guess  their  fate. 

On  the  south  corner  of  Fourth  street  was  an  old  printing  estab- 
lishment, and  it  was  also  the  private  dwelling  of  John  Adams. 

Opposite  was  long  the  abode  of  a  good  simple-hearted  man,  a  rul- 
ing elder  of  the  second  Presbytei'ian  congregation,  active  in  their  tem- 
poral concerns,  without  losing  sight  of  the  spiritual,  always  anxious 
to  keep  the  flock  in  the  straight  and  narrow  path.  In  old  age  he  was 
well  known  as  Daddy  Cook.  "  And  when  Jacob  had  made  an  end  of 
commanding  his  sons,  he  gathered  his  feet  into  his  bed,  and  yielded 
up  the  ghost." 

In  1816,  a  large  lot  was  purchased  of  James  Davis,  for  fourteen 
hundred  dollars,  at  the  corner  of  Hanover  street,  once  the  property  of 
Mrs.  Anna  Dorothea  Vertz.  Here  a  cellar  was  dug  to  build  a  church, 
and  the  stone  hauled.  One  of  the  evils  of  war  was  a  deranged  cur- 
rency, which,  with  the  failure  of  energetic  measures,  stopped  further 
progress.  A  small  building,  however,  was  used  as  a  lecture  room. 
In  this  the  first  Sunday  school  in  the  town  was  opened,  and  its  history 
will  be  given  with  that  of  the  old  Academy. 

In  1829,  Trinity  Chapel  was  built,  the  Rev.  Isaac  Pardee  being 
then  rector.  It  was  furnished  comjjlete,  including  organ  and  window 
blinds,  by  the  energetic  measures  of  females,  who  also  paid  for  finish- 
ing the  Sunday  school  room.  Many  departed  ones  were  associated  in 
this  good  work,  a  few  of  whom  have  been  noticed,  and  we  are  pleased 
to  record  a  tribute  of  gratitude  to  the  memory  of  Miss  Antonia  Nich- 
olson, who  though  in  feeble  health,  plied  the  needle  by  night  and  by 
day  in  making  fancy  articles,  the  sales  of  which  produced  ninety-seven 
dollars  profits,  which  were  given  by  her  to  this  object. 

Some  years  afterwards  the  building  was  enlarged  by  subscription, 
and  the  interior  much  improved.  It  was  furnished  anew,  a  larger  or- 
gan purchased,  and  gas  lights  were  introduced  for  the  first  time  into  a 
church  in  the  city  by  female  energy — then  under  the  pastoral  charge 
of  Rev.  J.  W.  McCullough.  But^a  want  of  taste  was  evident  in  the 
exterior. 

Lately  it  has  been  improved  by  a  tower  and  a  fine  toned  bell,  tiie 
gift  of  Mrs.  Agnes  Stothart.  A  commodious  parsonage  has  been  built 
adjoining,  and  it  is  now  in  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev.  E.  M. 
Vandeusen. 

Hanover  street  Presbyterian  Church  is  the  largest  in  town — it  is 

28* 


222  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

beautifully  situated,  but  like  our  own,  the  exterior  is  deficient  in  taste. 
It  has  been  lately  improved.  The  congregation  is  large  and  regular 
in  attendance,  and  very  liberal  in  their  contributions  to  promote 
every  institution  connected  with  their  church. 

The  corner  of  Broad  street,  now  Seventh,  was  the  residence  of  a 
surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  array.  Dr.  Ebenezer  Smith,  long  a  val- 
ued practitioner  here.  An  anecdote  of  his  father,  which  happened  in 
perilous  times,  and  related  by  the  doctor,  may  amuse  you.  The  old 
gentleman  was  a  Presbyterian  minister,  strict  as  a  Pharisee  in  his 
views  of  religious  order  and  decorum.  Punctual  to  time,  on  Sabbath 
morning  he  rode  off  on  horseback,  leaving  his  family  to  follow. 

One  Saturday  night,  during  the  Revolution,  this  surgeon  and  two 
ofl&cers  lodged  at  his  house  in  Pequea,  Pennsylvania,  expecting  to 
join  their  regiment  on  Sunday. 

The  parson  was  very  absent  minded,  and  often  appeared  eccentric. 
At  his  usual  hour  in  the  morning,  he  hastily  picked  up  a  hat, 
mounted  his  nag,  and  pushed  off  to  church.  On  the  road  people  ran 
to  the  doors  and  windows,  and  those  assembled  at  the  meeting-house 
were  in  the  greatest  consternation  to  see  their  plain^Puritan  parson  dis- 
mount, and  even  ascend  to  the  pulpit  with  a  cliapeau  bras,  gold  band, 
and  red  waving  plumes.  What  could  all  this  mean  ?  As  there  was 
no  possibility  of  remedying  the  mistake,  he  was  allowed  to  proceed 
home  thus  equipped,  to  the  great  amusement  of  his  sons,  most  espe- 
cially the  one  who  was  long  President  of  Princeton  College,  Dr. 
Samuel  Stanhope  Smith. 

But  the  officer  to  whom  this  chapeau  belonged  was  in  as  great  a 
predicament  on  missing  his  hat  and  hearing  that  it  had  gone  to  church. 
He  had  no  alternative  but  to  wear  the  parson's  plain,  low  three- 
cornered  cocked  hat,  quite  as  outre  for  full  uniform,  and  he  too  at- 
tracted notice,  and  made  merriment  on  his  way. 

In  the  midst  of  usefulness,  though  past  the  prime  of  life,  Dr.  E. 
Smith  was  suddenly  cut  down,  and  in  an  unexpected  hour  he  became 
the  tenant  of  a  grave,  leaving  a  bereaved  family  and  many  sympa- 
thizing friends  to  mourn. 

His  eldest  son,  a  physician  of  promise,  was  his  successor,  and 
seemed  to  be  the  staff  of  his  family.  His  prospects  were  soon  blighted 
by  a  disease  of  the  lungs.  For  two  winters  he  sought  relief  by  a 
residence  in  the  West  Indies.  A  warm  climate  proved  favorable ;  it 
was  hoped  his  life  might  be  prolonged  by  a  southern  abode.  He  was 
induced  to  go  to  Mississippi,  where  he  was  confined  two  years  to  his 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  223 

bed,  in  a  hopeless  state ;  and  being,  as  he  thought,  on  the  verge  of  the 
grave,  he  dictated  a  farewell  letter  to  his  mother,  and  the  family  were 
mourning  as  for  one  dead. 

The  second  daughter  was  most  healthy,  and  as  a  good  manager, 
with  mature  judgment  took  charge  of  their  domestic  concerns.  Her 
services  were  constantly  required.  The  shortest  absence  was  to  the 
family  a  sacrifice ;  besides,  her  usefulness  in  the  church  and  many 
religious  societies  was  important.  But  amid  all  these  duties,  within 
this  domicil  were  hearts  sorrowing  over  the  recent  letter  from  a  dying 
brother,  so  much  beloved.  Without  were  dark  clouds  and  a  gloomy 
atmosphere  portending  a  storm. 

Here  let  us  pause  to  recount  the  thrilling  catastrophe  of  July,  1824. 
Eliza  B.  Smith  was  seated  near  a  back  window  in  the  third  story,  ply- 
ing her  needle.  She  rose,  looked  out  of  the  window,  and  called  to  her 
sister  in  the  door  below,  to  whom  she  made  some  remarks  on  the 
weather  and  an  expected  meeting. 

In  a  moment  a  vivid  flash  of  lightning,  with  a  loud  clap  of  thun- 
der, rent  the  air  and  made  the  earth  tremble.  A  torrent  of  rain  fell, 
and  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  the  chimneys  were  torn  to  atoms,  the 
house  shattered  and  on  fire. 

Mrs.  Smith  was  seated  at  the  window,  in  the  room  below  her  daugh- 
ter, and  moved  her  chair  just  as  the  bureau  was  dashed  down  on  the 
spot.  Part  of  the  partition  wall  falling,  the  crash  prostrated  her  on  the 
hearth,  and  feeling  suffocated  with  the  sulphurous  smoke  which  filled 
the  room,  and  seeing  fiery  sparks  thicken  around,  she  crawled  to  the 
door,  and  exclaimed,  'Where  is  my  daughter?'" 

She  ran  up  to  her  daughter,  who  was  seated  with  her  work  in 
hand,  her  needle  in  her  fingers,  and  her  clothes  just  ready  to  burst 
into  a  flame,  which  Mrs.  Smith  extinguished.  Yet  she  was  uncon- 
scious that  the  active  spirit  had  winged  its  flight,  and  all  her  endear- 
ing epithets  were  unavailing  *'  to  the  dull  cold  ear  of  death." 

A  brother,  then  on  a  visit  to  the  family,  when  he  heard  the  cry  of 
fire,  hastened  home  and  rushed  tlnough  the  smoke  and  sliowers  of 
sparks.  Hundreds  who  surrounded  the  house  feared  to  enter,  and 
only  one  followed  him  up  stairs.  Miss  A.  N.  These  two  bore  the 
lifeless  form  down  stairs,  and  it  was  conveyed  across  the  street  to  Mrs. 
Elbert's  where  physicians  assembled,  but  the  most  jjronipt  means 
failed  to  restore  life. 

The  only  marks  were  a  single  drop  of  blood  from  the  ear,  as  if  a 
shot  had  entered,  and  two  red  spots  on  the  breast,  near  together,  resem- 


224  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

bling  a  burn  just  ready  to  blister.     A  placid  smile  beamed  over  her 
countenance,  which  seemed  to  imply,  "Death  is  not  here." 

The  eldest  sister  had  an  iron  in  her  hand,  which  it  was  supposed, 
threw  off  the  electricity  and  saved  her  life.  She,  too,  was  prostrated, 
and  lay  benumbed  on  the  parlor  floor,  her  shoes  torn  from  her  feet,  and 
the  combs  from  her  hair,  which  rose  from  her  head,  filled  with 
sulphur.     Intense  pain  would  seize  her  limbs  for  weeks. 

The  fire  was  extinguisred,  though  the  house  was  materially 
damaged.  A  large  closet,  close  to  the  chimney,  was  filled  with  china ; 
much  of  this  was  crumbled  into  powder.  "  The  clouds  poured  out 
water,  the  skies  sent  out  a  sound  ;  thine  arrows  also  went  abroad,  the 
voice  of  thy  thunder  was  in  the  heavens,  the  lightnings  lightened  the 
world,  the  earth  shook,  and  thy  footsteps  are  not  known." 

The  absent  brother,  who  passed  through  much  suffering,  was  mourned 
as  one  dead.  By  a  mighty  eflbrt  he  was  brought  home  to  die.  After 
lingering  in  consumption  eight  years,  mostly  spent  with  benevolent 
strangers,  he  said,  "I  will  depart  to  my  own  land,  and  to  my  kindred." 

"  Think  of  his  fate,  revere  the  heavenly  hand 

That  led  him  hence,  though  soon,  by  steps  so  slow. 
Long  at  his  couch  Death  took  his  patient  stand. 
And  menaced  oft,  and  oft  withheld  the  blow. 

"  Say,  are  ye  sui'e  his  mercy  shall  extend 
To  you  so  long  a  span  ?    Alas  !  ye  sigh. 
Make,  then,  while  yet  ye  may,  yom-  God  youi'  friend. 
And  learn,  with  equal  ease,  to  sleep  or  die." 

This  bereaved  widow's  affliction  was  soothed  by  the  bright  pros- 
pects of  her  second  son,  an  exemj^lary  young  ofiicer,  assistant  professor 
of  Mathematics  at  West  Point.  On  the  eve  of  promotion  as  principal, 
the  vacation  was  spent  in  his  family  circle.  The  day  of  his  departure 
to  resume  his  duties  was  at  hand,  when  the  typhus  fever  seized  him, 
and  the  spirit  fled  from  this  fleeting  world.  Three  estimable  and  use- 
ful -inmates  of  this  domicil  were  prematurely  cut  down,  as  flowers  of 
the  field.    They  came  home — but  to  die. 

The  mother  survived  these  heavy  afflictions  for  years,  and  as  an 
elder  friend  of  our  early  days,  we  jDay  to  her  memory  our  trifling 
tribute  of  afiection,  being  an  inmate  of  her  family  three  years.  Amid 
these  trying  afflictions,  we  witnessed  her  daily  walk.  In  joy  and 
prosperity,  she  was  meek  and  condescending ;  in  sorrow  and  adversity, 
calm  and  resigned.    No  variableness  clouded  her  bi-ow  or  darkened 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  225 

an  even  temperament.  An  unceasing  desire  to  render  her  domicil  a 
happy  home  crowned  her  life  with  peace.  "  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in 
perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee,  because  he  trusteth  in 
thee." 

Capt.  Joseph  Nicholson,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  at  the  time  of  these 
disastrous  events,  was  a  neighbor  and  friend  whose  noble  deeds  claim 
a  tribute  of  respect.  He  was  the  shield  of  his  widowed  sister,  and 
the  orphan's  guide,  and  long  before  temperance  was  lauded  over  the 
land  was  an  example  to  men  under  his  command. 

He  abstained  from  exhilarating  drinks  on  sea  and  on  shore,  and 
likewise  from  all  amusing  games.  He  was  a  true  believer  of  the 
Gospel  doctrine,  and  a  regular  attendant  upon  the  services  of  the 
Episcopal  Church.  He  was  not  a  hearer  of  the  Word  only,  but  a 
doer  of  Christian  duties,  and  we  trust  his  benevolent  acts  were  re- 
corded in  heaven  ere  he  was  so  suddenly  called  to  render  up  his  ac- 
counts. He  could  exclaim  with  sincerity,  "  I  caused  the  widow'^s  heart 
to  sing  for  joy,  and  was  a  father  to  the  fatherless." 


OHAPTEE  XXI. 

Other  (lays— Mr.  Crip's  Potteiy — Sad  Incident — J.  Keating,  Esq. — Peter  Proven- 
cbere,  Esq. — Affecting  lur-idents — Messrs.  Hilles— J.  Manic— Boarding 
School — Baptist  Cemeteiy — Potter's  Field— Story  of  the  "Water  Works. 

In  the  square  above,  all  has  changed.  Old  things  have  passed 
away,  and  new  ones  rise  up  before  us.  The  place  that  was  once  of 
considerable  notoriety  is  gone,  and  strangers  inhabit  the  spot.  Yet  it 
is  fresh  in  our  memory  as  a  link  in  a  chain  of  incidents  which  stretclies 
into  the  past  century,  mingling  so  much  with  life's  vicissitudes,  it 
seems  to  invite  us  to  substitute  our  meagre  sketch  of  facts  which  might 
fill  up  a  narrative,  if  well  described. 

No  doubt  there  are  hundreds  of  females  scattered  over  the  land, 
who  could  point  where  the  old  boarding  school  stood,  and  tell  of  their 
joyous  school  days  ;  and  a  few  may  remember  where  their  wayward 
will  was  disciplined. 
29 


226  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

But  to  tell  what  we  have  kuowu  of  this  place  will  turn  us  back  to 
other  days,  besides  what  our  fathers  have  told  us,  and  furthermore  an 
aged  female  said,  when  this  was  a  common  where  cows  pastured,  and 
the  Stalcup's  line  cut  ofl"  the  northeast  corner ;  but  the  town  was  laid 
out,  and  she  was  offered  the  whole  square  from  King  to  French  street, 
and  from  from  Broad  to  Kent  street,  for  twenty  dollars,  subject  to  a 
small  ground  rent,  to  the  SAvedes'  Church.  She  pondered  it  in  her  mind, 
and  counted  the  silver  dollars,  laying  them  aside,  and  looking  over 
the  waste  land,  declined  the  purchase. 

Two  years  ago  we  read  an  extract  copied  from  the  journal  of 
William  Penn,  stating  that  on  his  first  voyage  to  this  country  he  bor- 
rowed from  a  French  passenger  on  board  the  ship  thirty-six  pounds, 
and  after  Philadeljohia  was  planned,  he  offered  him  for  the  debt  the 
whole  square  from  Market  to  Arch  street,  and  from  Third  to  Fourth, 
which  the  Frenchman  declined  to  take,  preferring  the  cash.  Mr. 
Penn  replied,  "  Thou  blockhead,  dost  thou  not  know  that  this  place  is 
destined  to  become  a  great  city  ?" 

Our  father  said  in  olden  time  Matthew  Crips  owned  most  part  of 
the  square,  on  which  he  established  a  pottery,  and  in  the  Revolution 
his  business  prospered,  for  wares  of  all  sorts  were  scarce  and  expen- 
sive, and  his  domestic  manufacture  was  in  great  demand.  Even  cups 
and  saucers  Avere  made,  and  used  by  many,  though  it  may  be  hard  to 
believe  by  a  few  of  the  present  generation  that  their  ancestors  drank 
coffee  out  of  earthen  cups.  Yet  it  is  true,  for  we  have  seen  specimens 
preserved  as  a  relic  of  that  eventful  day. 

Of  Mr.  Crips  we  have  but  little  to  say,  save  that  he  was  an  old 
inhabitant,  an  industrious  and  useful  man,  and  died  wealthy.  He 
knew  how  to  make  money,  and  was  well  skilled  in  the  art  of  keeping  it. 

His  oldest  son  went  to  sea,  and  was  impressed  by  the  English  long 
before  his  death.  The  youngest  was  cut  off  by  will  with  a  small 
annuity,  and  his  only  daughter,  a  very  deserving  woman,  was  heir  to 
the  estate,  which  she  never  enjoyed,  neither  did  her  heirs.  "  So  that 
man  gathereth  riches  in  vain." 

Mr.  Crips'  residence  yet  stands  with  a  new  front.  More  than  half 
a  century  ago,  numerous  French  emigrants  arrived  here,  and  increased 
the  population  so  rapidly  that  houses  were  in  demand,  and  rents  were 
raised. 

This  induced  him  to  give  place  to  a  very  interesting  family,  con- 
sisting only  of  Mr.  P.,  his  wife  and  servant*.  They  had  made  a  hair- 
breadth escape  from  their  native  land.     Sad  reverses,  and  the  unhappy 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  227 

fate  of  the  lady's  parents  made  her  the  child  of  sorrow ;  and  though 
sadness  reigned  in  their  lonely  abode,  for  she  shrunk  from  society,  yet 
as  they  were  religiously  disposed,  gleams  of  gratitude  warmed  their 
hearts  to  the  Disposer  of  good  for  a  safe  guidance  to  the  land  of  peace 
and  plenty. 

Mrs,  P.  did  not  seem  to  possess  the  national  buoyancy  of  spirit 
which  was  so  remarkable  in  her  fair  countrywomen,  whether  in  weal 
or  woe. 

The  birth  of  an  infant  in  this  gloomy  home  seemed  as  the  choicest 
earthly  blessing.  As  their  daughter  daily  grew  more  lovely,  Mrs.  P.'s 
sadness  gradually  wore  away,  and  her  countenance  resumed  animation. 
She  Avas  so  absorbed  in  the  tender  mother's  care,  that,  alas  !  this  little 
one  became  a  household  idol.  As  its  first  birthday  approached,  much 
pleasure  was  anticipated,  when  sudden  illness  seized  its  tender  frame ; 
but  the  timely  aid  of  an  eminent  French  physician  arrested  the  dis- 
ease, and  danger  Avas  no  longer  apprehended. 

Ah,  how  sad  to  tell !  the  difference  of  language  caused  wrong 
medicine  to  be  sent,  and  the  potion  was  given  by  the  devoted  mother, 
who  anxiously  watched  over  her  darling,  as  she  thought  she  had  fallen 
into  a  sweet  slumber. 

But  the  father's  countenance  bespoke  agonized  grief,  for  he  knew 
that  it  had  gone  to  a  longer  and  calmer  rest,  and  that  the  spirit  had 
fled  from  earth  to  heaven.  There  lay  the  babe,  lovely  even  in  death, 
and  when  the  mother  was  aroused  to  the  sad  reality,  she  thought  of 
nothing  but  the  inanimate  form,  and  gazed  on  it  in  a  fixed  stupor,  and 
this  inestimable  lady  sunk  into  a  settled  melancholy. 

"  As  the  sweet  flower  that  scents  the  mom, 
But  withers  in  the  rising  daj'. 
Thus  lovely  was  this  infant's  dawn, 
Thus  swiftly  fled  its  hfe  away." 

Somewhere  al^out  1797,  Mr.  Crips  erected  the  mansion  long  known 
as  the  Old  Boarding  School,  which  in  that  day  was  thought  a  fine 
building.  It  presented  a  wide  front,  with  a  large  hall  through  the 
centre,  and  several  back  rooms  were  attached  by  fitting  uj)  the  old 
pottery.  The  premises  were  extensive ;  a  large  side  lot,  and  the  whole 
bounded  by  French  street,  that  afforded  a  roomy  yard  and  noble 
garden. 

J.  Keating,  Esq.,  rented  it  for  three  hundred  dollars,  and  occupied 
it  for  years.  He  married  in  this  town  a  lovely  young  lady,  tiie  daugh- 
ter of  a  very  respectable  French  gentleman,  Mons.  Deschappelles, 


228  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

who  now  lies  in  the  old  Swedes'  Cemetery.     He,  too,  had  sought  an 
asylum  here  when  trouble  overwhelmed  his  native  land. 

An  honorable  member  of  this  family  was  too  remarkable  a  per- 
sonage to  pass  over — Peter  Provenchere,  Esq.,  a  highly  educated  man 
and  accomplished  gentleman,  whose  dignified  deportment  and  courtesy 
of  manners  told  us  that  he  belonged  to  another  age.  Soon  after  the 
accession  of  Louis  XVI.,  he  obtained  an  honorable  situation  in  the 
household  of  the  king's  eldest  brother,  and  under  the  view  of  the 
royal  family  he  was  selected  as  tutor  to  the  Duke  de  Berri,  and  when 
his  royal  patrons  were  driven  into  exile,  he  continued  his  instructions. 

In  1794  he  came  to  this  country,  and  his  first  residence  was  in 
Wilmington,  where  he  remained  until  1808.  On  the  restoration  of 
the  Bourbons,  Mr.  P.  was  earnestly  invited  to  return  to  his  country, 
but  he  preferred  tranquility  at  his  advanced  age,  as  the  highest  enjoy- 
ment of  life. 

The  duke  did  not  forget  or  neglect  the  friend  and  guide  of  his 
youth,  but  maintained  a  correspondence,  always  addressing  him  with 
aflfection  and  respect. 

After  Mr.  P.  reached  his  80th  year,  he  devoted  his  reading  exclu- 
sively to  religious  works.  He  was  a  practical  Christian  in  works  as 
well  as  faith,  charitable  to  his  fellow-men,  and  humble  and  obedient 
to  his  God. 

A  friend,  who  knew  him  daily  for  thirty  years,  declares  he  cannot 
recollect  a  single  word  that  he  could  wish  unsaid,  or  a  single  act  that 
had  better  been  undone.  What  vicissitudes  had  this  gentleman  seen 
in  his  native  country !  His  daughter,  Madame  M.,  was  also  an  inmate 
of  the  family.  She  was  a  very  accomplished  lady,  having  been  edu- 
cated with  the  Princess  Royal,  afterwards  Duchess  d'Augouleme. 
Those  persons  were  relatives  of  Mrs.  Keating,  and  were  highly  res- 
pected here,  and  no  family  were  more  regretted  on  their  removal  to 
Philadelphia. 

Mrs.  Keating  was  handsome,  and  her  figure  noble.  She  was  young 
and  in  the  bloom  of  health,  and  her  estimable  traits  of  character  and 
courtesy  of  manners  won  her  the  affection  and  esteem  of  those  who 
knew  her.  In  that  day,  the  French  society  in  this  town  was  of  a  high 
order,  and  none  seemed  to  enjoy  life  more,  passing  their  evenings  so- 
cially at  each  other's  houses. 

In  August,  1803,  Mr.  Keating  had  gone  to  the  west,  and  at  one  of 
their  social  parties,  about  eight  o'clock,  Mrs.  Keating  was  seized  with 
a  sudden  illuesss  and  taken  home,  and  another  day  had  scarcely  dawned 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  229 

when  death  entered  this  happy  domicil  and  ])orc  away  one  endeared  to 
kindred  and  friends,  and  was  "a  grievous  mourning." 

The  solemnity  of  that  day  is  still  remembered,  and  Mr.  Keating's 
return  to  meet  his  three  motherless  children.  It  was  a  scene  of  solemn 
sadness,  and  his  grief  Avas  deep  and  abiding.  "  It  grieveth  me  much 
for  your  sakes,  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  gone  out  against  me." 
The  sunshine  of  joy  that  lighted  and  cheered  those  evening  circles 
grew  dim  on  her  grave,  and  set  forever. 

Year  after  year,  sorrow  seemed  to  invade  each  kindred  household, 
and  remove  each  brightest  ornament.  Many  of  those  promising 
youths  are  mingling  with  the  dust  in  the  old  Swedes'  Cemetery. 

The  little  ones  were  now  under  j^aternal  care,  and  early  disciplined 
to  obedience,  and  nurtured  in  the  fear  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 
Being  so  guarded  from  worldly  temptations,  as  they  grew  to  riper 
years,  they  soared  to  more  glorious  joys.  Having  passed  their  course 
of  studies  with  honor,  and  realized  a  fond  father's  hopes,  they  were 
promoted  to  high  places  in  public  life.  Even  erring  men  estimate 
worth,  as  it  is  evident  that  he  who  honors  his  parent  will  be  most  apt 
to  honor  his  country. 

The  oldest  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Philadelphia, 
and  six  weeks  had  just  elapsed  since  his  marriage,  when  death  bore 
him  to  the  tomb,  and  the  deepest  sorrow  overshadowed  the  household. 

The  younger  son  finished  his  studies  in  Paris,  and  was  gaining 
celebrity  in  the  science  of  mineralogy  and  chemistry,  and  but  a 
few  years  glided  by,  and  he  too  married  and  was  in  London,  pre- 
paring to  embark  for  his  native  land,  when  disease  seized  his  frame, 
and  brought  him  to  an  early  grave.  The  moment  that  his  aged  father 
was  expecting  his  arrival,  the  news  was  announced  that  his  only  sou 
was  no  more.  So  little  is  man's  estimate  of  the  joys  of  life  to  be  relied 
on.  What  he  cherishes  to-day  as  the  choicest  blessings  may  to-mor- 
row open  in  his  heart  a  fountain  of  solicitude  and  sorrow. 

In  the  ardor  of  youth,  and  pride  of  manhood,  their  tide  of  life 
flowed  away.  As  their  brief  term  of  years  was  adorned  by  walking 
in  wisdom's  ways,  we  trust  their  spirits  were  fitted  for  celestial  joys. 

The  youngest  child,  a  daughter,  is  a  widowed  mother,  and  is  su- 
perior of  the  convent  at  E.  Mr.  K.'s  paternal  care  embraced  an 
orphan  nephew,  senior  to  his  sons,  and  educated  by  him  with  the 
same  paternal  care.  He  too  fulfilled  the  duties  of  a  long  life  in  a 
short  one,  and  died  deeply  lamented  by  numerous  friends,  who  sympa- 
thized in  their  family  afflictions. 

29* 


230  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

Wlicn  Mr.  Keating  removed  from  this  house,  Mrs.  Capron,  from 
Pliiladclpliia,  opened  a  boarding-scliool  liero,  but  soon  resigned.  She 
was  succeeded  by  Joshua  Maule  and  Eli  Hilles.  Mr.  Maule  had 
been  for  some  time  a  popular  teacher,  and  was  esteemed  a  worthy 
man,  but  death  summoned  him  in  the  prime  of  life  to  leave  a  family 
of  orphans  to  another's  care.  His  departure  was  deeply  lamented, 
and  the  important  duty  of  training  youth  now  devolved  on  the 
Messrs.  Hilles,  Avhose  duties  were  faithfully  performed  with  great  suc- 
cess. 

Many  females  have  gone  from  that  seminary  with  the  proof  to 
others  of  having  been  thoroughly  instructed  in  the  branches  of  a 
plain  English  education,  that  being  the  professed  princij^le  of  the 
school.  A  French  teacher  was  employed  for  those  who  desired  to  ac- 
quire a  knowledge  of  that  language,  and  occasionally  a  little  of  the 
ornamental  in  drawing. 

In  1816,  the  Messrs.  Hilles  erected  a  fine  mansion,  surrounded  by 
beautiful  grounds,  and  an  extensive  view,  situated  a  few  squares 
above,  where  they  continued  for  years  with  unusual  success.  It  is 
now  conducted  by  Dubree  Knight,  uniting  a  day  school,  and  it  sus- 
tains a  high  character. 

The  intersection  of  King  and  Eighth  Streets  was  long  a  sand  hole, 
and  was  so  designated.  The  process  of  levelling  the  streets  progressed 
slowly,  and  it  was  a  dangerous  pass  in  a  dark  night. 

The  old  Baptist  meeting-house  is  adjoining  Mr.  Hilles',  and  op- 
posite the  water-works.  It  is  a  fine  situation  now,  occasionally  used 
for  worship,  and  has  been  mostly  closed  for  some  years  past.  There 
is  a  large  cemetery  attached,  with  numerous  graves.  The  burying- 
ground  for  the  poor  is  next,  and  also  quite  large,  and  beautifully  sit- 
uated. The  city  fathers  have  lately  ordered  the  remains  to  be  disin- 
terred, and  buried  in   the  cemetery,  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  city. 

Being  opposite  the  water-works,  we  will  sketch  its  history.  As 
you  now  will  have  known  of  jjrimitive  days,  you  must  be  informed 
how  the  town  was  supplied  with  water  in  our  detail  of  more  recent 
things. 

On  the  highways  and  in  yards  Avere  draw-wells,  often  seventy  or 
eighty  feet  deep.  The  limb  of  a  tree  was  placed  upright  near  them, 
a  pole,  balanced,  being  laid  in  a  notch  at  the  top,  and  a  rope  or  chain 
at  the  end  held  the  bucket,  to  be  borne  down  till  it  filled  with  water, 
then  carefully  raised  uj).  Those  wells  were  not  covered,  and  the 
water  was  excellent.     Wells  which  had  a  windlass  were  more  modern, 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  231 

and  those  enclosed  were  much  safer.  Two  such  were  in  front  of  Gov. 
Dickinson's  house,  in  Kent  Street,  and  thus  supplied  most  of  the 
neighborhood.  In  those  days,  half  a  square  was  near  to  get  water  for 
family  use.  Some  had  a  hogshead  in  the  yard  to  catch  rain  water 
for  washing.  Pumps  were  the  next  change ;  oftimes  it  was  hard  labor 
to  pump  up  water,  owing  to  the  well  being  deep. 

A  new  project  to  supply  down  town,  where  water  was  not  so  good, 
was  to  bring  spring  water  through  wooden  pipes  from  Shipley's  brew- 
ery, on  the  declivity  of  Quaker  Hill,  from  the  upper  market  down. 
This  was  choice  water,  and  sufficient  for  the  day.  It  was  done  by  the 
spring  water  company,  and  such  an  improvement  that  it  was  deemed 
expedient  to  supply  the  higher  part  of  the  town,  by  bringing  it  more 
than  a  mile  from  Cool-spring,  at  the  country  seat  of  C.  A.  Rodney, 
Esq.     This  was  a  much  more  expensive  operation. 

East  side  of  Market  street,  above  Eighth,  an  immense  cistern  was 
dug,  and  walled  with  brick,  and  lined  with  an  expensive  cement.  This 
was  to  contain  a  number  of  hogsheads  for  extra  uses.  The  latter 
made  the  stock  unprofitable,  and  it  Avas  sold  to  the  borough.  At  this 
time  a  row  of  noble  trees  reached  from  Brandywine  to  the  Christiana, 
beautifying  the  town  and  making  a  shady  walk,  screening  old  build- 
ings, and  giving  things  a  rural  appearance. 

In  spring  time,  as  they  put  forth  verdure  and  were  flourishing,  a 
complaint  was  preferred  by  the  honorable  counsel,  representing  these 
trees  as  troublesome  neighbors,  invading  water-right  by  working  under 
ground  like  moles,  and  perforating  logs  till  the  water  oozed  out.  Much 
contention  ensued  ;  parties  clung  to  the  side  they  espoused  ;  for  months 
they  grew  stronger  and  waxed  warmer,  some  for  "the  oreen  tree,  and 
some  for  the  dry." 

The  rulers  assembled,  and  declared  the  trees  a  grievance  no  longer 
to  be  borne.  They  were  invested  with  supreme  ])ower  to  act,  and 
passed  a  decree,  like  the  Medes  and  Persians,  that  altereth  not.  It 
was  proclaimed  on  such  a  day,  within  certain  bounds,  trees  of  every 
tribe  should  be  externiiuated. 

Oh !  what  lamentation  over  the  trees  doomed  to  destruction,  and  I 
aril  sorry  to  say  that  the  spirit  of  rebellion  was  rife.  Even  this  quiet 
little  town  threatened  to  "  nullify."  Women  were  unanimous  to  spare 
the  trees;  but  the  authority  exclaimed,  "Cut  it  down  ;  why  cuinhcr- 
eth  it  the  ground  ?" 

Upon  much  deliberation,  it  was  agiecd  to  petition  those  uiiconipro- 
mising  rulers.     Two  hundred  females  and  others  signed.     This  was 


232  BfjMimscENCES  OF  Wilmington. 

too  formidiiblc  an  array  to  be  easily  set  aside,  and  the  shade  was  spared 
for  a  season.  A  few  equally  desirous  to  save  the  trees  refused  to  sign, 
because  they  adhered  to  Gov.  Dickinson's  maxim,  "  Let  the  law  be 
enforced,  however  bad."  Arbitrary  laws  are  ofttimes  wholesome  to  a 
community  ;  they  teach  men  the  imjiortance  of  selecting  competent 
rulers.  "  Then  I  considered  it  well ;  I  looked  upon  it  and  received 
instruction." 

By  orders  in  counsel  the  next  year  the  axe  was  laid  to^  the  root  of 
every  tree  within  the  limits.  After  all  this  excitement  the  logs  were 
found  defective,  and  iron  pipes  were  laid.  Besides,  there  was  not  suf- 
ficient water  in  case  of  fire,  and  the  Brandywine  water  was  brought 
in  to  supply  the  whole  town,  and  the  water  was  pumped  up  by  a  water 
wheel  at  the  Brandywine  into  the  reservoir  on  high  ground,  from 
whence  it  was  led  by  iron  pipes  for  the  purposes  of  the  town  for  public 
and  private  purposes. 


OHAPTEE    XXII. 

Market  Street  Bridge —Dr.  Monroe — Mi's.  D. — An  Adventure — Bank— Dr.  Pascal 
— J.  Springer — J.  Brobson — Hotel — Sailor's  Exploit — Smoke  House — J. 
Webster — Post  Office- J.  Niles — David  Bush,  Esq. — Major  Lewis  Bush — 
Indian  Queei^, 

Before  we  pass  up  Market  street,  we  will  give  a  sketch  of  the 
rise  and  progress  of  the  bridge  across  the  Christiana,  and  the  numer- 
ous hinderances  in  getting  it  constructed.  In  the  olden  time,  folks 
never  entered  heedlessly  iuto  new  measures.  Prudence  was  a  charac- 
teristic of  the  day,  so  they  progressed  slowly,  aud  this  was  thought  a 
prodigious  enterprise. 

What  folly  (said  some)  to  talk  about  throwing  a  bridge  across  such 
a  strong  current !  Why,  the  spring  tides  or  freshets  would  sweep 
away  every  vestige  of  any  structure  that  might  be  built,  or  the  shoals 
of  floating  ice  rend  it  to  atoms. 

Others  said,  if  the  mighty  work  could  be  completed,  no  road  could 
ever  be  made  through  the  marsh,  where  the  banks  Avere  continually 


Reminiscences  op  Wilmington  233 

breaking ;  for  all  those  meadows  did  overflow  at  times,  and  look  like 
a  continuous  sheet  of  water  even  to  the  Delaware,  and  years  would 
glide  on  ere  an  ingenious  workman  could  be  found  to  stop  these 
breaches. 

Moreover,  they  said,  all  the  earth  carted  there  would  sink  or  wash 
away.  But  a  most  serious  objection  was  impeding  thejnavigation,  and 
this  had  a  hard  struggle  throughout  the  opposition. 

Meetings  were  held  and  long  speeches  made.  For  a  time  the  sub- 
ject would  die  away,  and  then  be  revived  again,  when,  on  a  sudden, 
the  rising  generation  overcame  these  perils  by  land  and  perils  by 
water,  and  resolved  on  the  undertaking,  and  it  has  resulted  in  great 
convenience  to  the  traveling  community.  Yet  fully  appreciating  the 
progress  in  useful  improvements,  we  venerate  our  ancestors,  and  could 
wish  that  their  descendants  had  inherited  a  portion  of  their  prudence, 
and  also  of  their  honesty  and  integrity. 

Ascending  this  street  many  old  persons  and  places  will  be  noted. 
In  this  square  are  the  two  old  residences  of  the  Broom  family,  which 
have  a  renewed  appearance.  Their  pretty  daughters  were  belles  of 
the  day. 

Dr.  Shallcross's  dwelling  was  here,  aad  for  years  after  he  left  it,  it 
was  the  domicil  of  an  estimable  widow,  Mrs.  R.,  whose  fair  daughters, 
the  Misses  R.,  had  a  name  among  the  pretty  girls  of  their  day. 

Dr.  George  Monroe  became  the  next  occupant  and  owner.  He 
was  a  surgeon  in  the  Revolution,  and  married  the  daughter  of  Col. 
Haslet,  who  fell  at  the  battle  of  Princeton.  She  was  a  lady  of  worth 
and  l)eauty,  whom  death  summoned  in  the  prime  of  life.  The  doctor 
survived  her  for  years,  and  when  suddenly  called  away  he  was  pre- 
pared to  meet  death.  Both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
"  O,  Lord  of  Hosts,  blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  thee." 

The  house  above,  built  and  occupied  by  Major  Adams,  was  after- 
wards owned  and  occupied  by  the  celebrated  architect  Benjamin  H. 
Latrobe.  He  also  had  a  most  estimable  family  and  a  beautiful 
daughter. 

On  the  northwest  corner  of  Front  Street  stood  one  of  the  oldest 
brick  dwellings  in  town,  long  known  as  a  tavern.  "Within  a  few  years 
it  has  given  place  to  a  modern  hotel. 

When  dry-goods  stores  were  few,  there  was  a  noted  one  kej)t  by 
Mrs.  Donaldson,  where  the  best  articles  could  be  obtained  ;  and  this 
reminds  us  of  an  adventure. 

In  1817,  as  we  were  traveling  from  Carlisle  to  the  York  Springs, 
30 


234  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

in  a  private  carriage  with  Mrs.  Broom,  we  alighted  at  a  tavern,  while 
the  horses  were  watered,  to  make  inquiry  about  the  road.  A  German 
was  giving  very  incoherent  directions,  when  a  stranger  kindly  came 
forward  and  clearly  pointed  out  our  way. 

We  had  rode  ten  miles,  and  the  horses  had  to  rest,  and  the  stran- 
ger entered  into  conversation,  and  several  questions  were  answered^ 
by  which  he  knew  we  were  from  Wilmington. 

He  observed,  twenty  years  had  nearly  elapsed  since  he  was  once 
before  at  this  house,  to  take  shelter  from  a  pelting  rain,  and  now  for 
the  second  time  in  life  was  here  to  be  screened  from  a  scorching  sun, 
and  it  was  a  singular  coincidence  that  each  time  he  should  meet  ladies 
from  Wilmington,  and  should  be  pleased  to  inquire  for  the  former, 
but  the  name  had  escaped  his  memory. 

However,  he  would  relate  their  adventure,  and  it  might  be  a  clue. 
In  1798,  when  the  fever  prevailed  in  Wilmington,  an  old  lady  and 
her  daughter  were  traveling  on  to  see  a  married  daughter  at  Ship- 
pensburg,  and  this  led  to  the  disclosure  that  it  was  no  other  than  Mrs. 
Donaldson. 

The  night  was  stormy,  and  the  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and  the  stage 
was  expected,  and  much  anxiety  expressed  at  the  delay,  lest  the 
Conewago,  two  miles  below,  was  so  high  the  stage  could  not  cross,  and 
there  was  no  house  on  the  other  side. 

In  the  gloom  of  midnight,  and  under  pelting  rain,  they  were 
aroused  by  the  driver  with  two  females,  dripping  wet,  mounted  on 
stage  horses  partly  harnessed,  and  no  saddles. 

The  stage  had  been  abandoned  in  the  stream.  The  darkness  was 
so  intense  that  the  driver  was  not  aware  of  the  creek  being  so  high, 
and  drove  in,  and  the  horses  swam  almost  to  the  shore,  when  a  wheel 
loosened  and  dragged,  so  they  could  not  proceed 

Mrs.  D.  was  large  and  heavy,  and  fears  were  excited  for  her 
safety.  The  stream  continued  to  swell,  and  there  were  no  passengers 
to  give  aid. 

In  this  dilemma  the  driver  cut  his  horses  loose,  and  by  his  most 
energetic  efforts,  assisted  by  Miss  D.,  they  succeeded  in  dragging  the 
old  lady  from  the  stage  on  to  the  horse's  back,  he  holding  her  on,  and 
leading  the  horse  slowly,  while  the  daughter  mounted  the  other  horse 
and  rode  on.  In  this  plight  they  arrived  hungry  and  weary,  but 
rejoicing  at  their  miraculous  escape. 

Next  day  the  stage  was  refitted,  and  they  set  off  for  Shippensburg, 
with  the  mail-bag  thrown  loosely  into  the  bottom  of  the  carriage. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  235 

About  a  mile  and  a  half  hence  is  a  very  stony  place,  called  Feath- 
erbed Lane.     One  of  the  horses  fell  exhausted,  and  was  crippled. 

Now  the  driver  commenced  to  unharness,  saying  he  could  no 
longer  be  detained,  but  must  hurry  on  with  the  mail  on  horseback, 
and  let  the  ladies  trudge  back  to  the  tavern,  and  wait  for  an  opportu- 
nity to  proceed. 

Miss  D.  was  indignant  at  the  treatment,  pouuced  her  mother  on 
the  mail-bag,  and  sitting  down  by  her  side,  vowed  he  should  not 
remove  it.  Their  passage  was  paid  to  go  with  the  mail,  and  she  would 
hold  on  till  they  arrived  at  the  place  of  destination. 

The  driver  soon  saw  that  he  had  a  heroine  to  contend  with  and 
must  yield,  and  started  to  procure  other  horses,  which  was  no  trifling 
difliculty  in  that  country.     However,  he  succeeded. 

And  this  gentleman  with  others  went  to  congratulate  the  young 
lady  for  her  heroism,  and  he  spoke  of  it  twenty  years  after  as  an 
astonishing  feat  of  firmness  and  presence  of  mind.  Miss  D.  was 
greatly  applauded  for  not  submitting  to  the  imposition  of  a  stage 
driver. 

The  ancestors  of  Dr.  Nicholas  AVay  resided  next  to  the  corner  ; 
they  were  an  ancient  family.  This  corner  was  the  last  earthly  dwel- 
ling-place of  Col.  Thomas  Kean. 

The  Brandywine  Bank  is  of  modern  structure,  on  the  opposite 
corner,  and  Mr.  Crampton's  old  tavern  yet  keejis  its  place.  Dr. 
Pascal's  drug  store,  of  ancient  note,  stands,  though  divided  into  two. 
Joseph  Bailey,  Esq.,  succeeded  in  the  drug  business,  but  resigned  it, 
and  was  for  a  long  time  President  of  the  Bank  of  Delaware. 

Next  was  the  old  residence  of  our  patriotic  friend  Joseph  Shall- 
cross,  for  many  years  afterwards  occupied  by  John  Sellars,  hatter,  a 
very  respectable  townsman,  whose  eldest  son,  his  su^-cessor,  fills  his 
father's  place  as  a  trustworthy  member  of  the  community. 

John  Springer's  residence  and  hatter's  shop  has  lately  been  removed. 
He  was  a  worthy  inhabitant,  whose  ancestor,  Carls  Christopher 
Springer,  was  a  distinguished  colonist.  John  Reynolds'  house  was 
another  old  landmark,  but  it  has  been  lately  demolished.  He  was  for 
years  a  respectable,  kind  citizen,  a  very  large  man  in  the  hardware 
business,  but  of  gentle,  soft  nuumers. 

In  1806,  a  low  fever  prevailed  to  some  extent.  It  was  called 
nervous.  Several  young  persons  fell  victims,  and  none  were  more 
lamented  than  Miss  Sally  Brobson.  She  was  tenderly  beloved  by 
her  friends,  was  beautiful,  and  in  the  bloom  of  youth  and  loveliness, 


236  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

she  fell  as  the  flower  of  the  field  to  mingle  with  the  dust.  Mrs. 
Brobson  was  a  lady  of  great  literary  taste,  and  also  had  a  fondness 
for  flowers,  and  made  a  choice  selection.  Her  garden  was  on  the  east 
side  of  the  square,  and  though  small  was  tastefully  arranged. 

James  Brobson  was  at  that  time  in  mercantile  business,  and  owned 
part  of  several  vessels. 

Marshall's  Hotel,  southeast  corner  of  Third  street,  sign  of  the 
ship,  was  in  the  Revolution  the  head-quarters  of  the  ofticers,  and  we 
will  relate  an  incident  of  the  times. 

A  sea  fight  on  the  coast  had  caused  much  rejoicing,  as  the  Amer- 
ican sloop-of-war  Randolph  was  victorious,  and  during  the  excitement 
a  person  of  some  pretensions  as  an  artist  painted  a  representation  of 
the  battle  on  this  sign. 

When  the  English  fleet  lay  opposite  this  town,  the  sailors  passing 
to  and  fro  were  much  annoyed  by  it,  and  always  made  some  harsh 
remark  as  they  passed. 

One  day  two  sailors,  dressed  in  petticoat  trowsers,  carrying  a  bag 
up  the  street,  arrested  the  attention  of  a  young  girl,  who  was  a  great 
observer  of  the  daily  events,  and  watched  their  doings.  They  stopped 
at  the  foot  of  the  post,  emptied  their  budget,  took  out  an  axe  and 
other  tools,  ran  up  the  post,  and  drew  down  the  sign,  and  split  the 
hateful  painting  into  atoms,  and  hewed  oft'  its  support,  leaving  not  a 
vestige  of  its  former  glory. 

Seventy  years  had  elapsed  since  the  person  who  was  a  witness  to 
this  scene,  Mrs.  Mary  Lovering,  related  it  as  still  fresh  in  her  memory. 

In  our  day,  Capt.  O'Flinn,  a  gentleman  in  the  strictest  sense  of 
the  word,  kept  this  house  as  an  accommodation  for  travellers,  and  it 
was  proverbial  for  ordei*.  His  sister-in-law,  Mrs.  Huggins,  regulated 
the  household.  ♦  Her  only  son  was  lost  at  sea. 

We  are  often  reminded  of  the  depravity  of  the  present  age,  and 
contrast  it  with  the  purity  of  days  gone  by,  and  love  to  dwell  on  the 
virtues  of  an  ancestor  and  the  filial  obedience  of  our  childhood,  till 
we  almost  persuade  ourselves  crime  was  unknown  in  the  past  gen- 
eration. 

But  a  sudden  flash  of  memory  brings  out  the  little  old  smoke  house, 
the  place  for  the  temporary  confinement  of  ofienders  ;  it  presented  its 
gable  end  and  grated  windows,  and  gloomy  door  and  big  lock.  Then 
we  remember  Jenny  Blaney  and  Kate  Magill,  and  others,  passed  into 
oblivion,  who  had  to  spend  many  a  dark,  lonely  uight  in  this  dreary 
prison. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  237 

If  their  crime  proved  worthy  of  a  trip  to  New  Castle,  the  culprit 
was  conveyed  to  the  county  jail,  sometimes  favored  to  ride  in  a  cart, 
but  mostly  it  was  a  pedestrian  excursion. 

Such  reminiscences  oblige  us  to  acknowledge,  depravity  existed 
from  the  beginning,  but  they  have  progressed  with  the  arts  and 
sciences. 

John  Webster,  a  most  eccentric  character,  and  full  of  wit,  kept  a 
classical  school  for  some  time,  and  afterwards  opened  a  drug  and  book 
store.  He  was  also  postmaster,  and  a  long  list  of  his  drugs  and  otiier 
articles  for  sale  were  advertised  in  poetry,  in  a  most  amusing  strain, 
written  and  composed  by  Evan  Thomas,  Sr. 

This  store  was  long  the  post-office,  afterwards  in  the  charge  of 
Joseph  Briughurst,  a  very  worthy  man.  Mrs.  Deborah  Bringhurst 
was  an  intelligent  and  estimable  friend.  In  mature  age,  as  the  child 
of  affliction,  we  trust  she  resigned  her  earthly  abode  for  a  heavenly 
one. 

Years  have  glided  on  since  a  sad  accident  befel  one  of  our  old 
townsmen,  J.  Niles.  Opposite  the  upper  market  a  sign  post  had  long 
threatened  danger,  yet  it  was  allowed  to  remain.  On  a  windy  day,  as 
J.  N.  stepped  out  of  his  door,  this  post  snapped,  and  the  sign  fell  on 
his^  head,  instantly  crushing  him  out  of  life  into  an  endless  eternity. 

His  son,  Hezekiah  Niles,  removed  to  Baltimore,  there  published 
Niles'  Register,  a  very  popular  paper,  and  perhaps  at  one  time  no 
paper  in  the  country  had  a  larger  circulation. 

When  he  was  overtaken  by  the  infirmities  of  age,  he  came  home 
to  die,  and  in  this  place  ended  his  pilgrimage. 

The  northeast  corner  of  Third  street  was  the  residence  of  David 
Bush,  Esq.,  whose  patriotic  sons  were  so  distinguished  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. Three  of  them  were  brave  officers  on  duty ;  the  fourth  was  a 
boy,  whom  we  have  noted  in  a  later  day.  A  British  colonel  inquiring 
the  names  of  officers,  hearing  that  three  were  sons  of  one  man,  ex- 
claimed, "  We  must  exterminate  the  d —  Bushes  before  we  can  con- 
quer even  little  Delaware." 

Major  Lewis  Bush,  was  called  the  flower  of  these  youthful  heroes. 
He  was  handsome,  and  worthy  of  remembrance  as  a  hero  in  his  coun- 
try's cause 

He  fell  mortally    wounded   at   the  battle  of  Brandywine,  having 

been  singled  out  as  a  victim.     The  enemy's  balls  passed  with  deadly 

aim.     Being  directed  by  ill-judged  kindness,  to  hasten  him  from  the 

fatal  spot,  he  was  thrown  across  a  horse  wounded  and  iu  agony,  which 

30* 


238  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

set  the  blood  to  flowing  in  streams.  No  soothing  hand  was  nigh  to 
pour  in  oil  and  wine,  or  to  stay  the  bleeding  wound,  and  his  valued 
life  gently  passed  away,  and  none  was  more  lamented. 

Major  George  Bush  was  long  collector  of  this  port,  and  a  most 
populaj'  officer.  Their  only  sister,  Miss  Betsey  Bush,  was  a  beautiful 
woman  and  a  noted  belle. 

Thomas  Spackman's  shoe  store  was  just  above.  He,  too,  was  an 
old  inhabitant ;  and  Joseph  Grubb,  a  most  estimable  man,  married 
his  daughter,  who  was  an  excellent  woman.  Mr.  G.  was  long  engaged 
in  the  hardware  business.  Here  they  both  died,  ere  they  were  over- 
taken by  age. 

Samuel  Nichols  and  wife,  a  worthy  couple,  lived  to  old  age.  They 
kept  a  dry  goods  store  above,  and  when  this  was  a  borough,  Mr. 
Nichols  was  appointed  a  burgess.  Those  people  were  members  of 
Friends'  Society. 

During  the  Revolution,  a  hotel  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  street  was 
long  known  as  the  Indian  King,  and  was  kept  by  Mrs.  Allison.  In 
our  day  it  w^as  Brinton's,  and  one  of  the  most  respectable  in  town. 
Here  the  stages  all  put  up,  and  crowds  of  Indians  were  sometimes  en- 
tertained at  the  expense  of  government.  We  have  seen  them  pass 
through  in  crowded  stages. 


OHAPTEE    XXIII. 

Peter  Brynberg— Book  Store— Old  Bank— Printing  Office— Robert  Hamilton, 
Esq.— Adventure  of  Mous.  Bergerac- The  Dawes  Family— Gen.  Stocktou 
—Job  Hai-vey— Town  Hall— Michael  Wolfe. 

The  mansion  on  the  fnorthwest  corner  ^of  High  street  was  the 
residence  of  James  Lea,  Sen.,  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  here 
in  olden  days.  It  was  long  the  Bank  of  Delaware,  the  oldest  bank  in 
the  State.     John  Hayes,  cashier,  occupied  the  dwelling. 

An  old  printing  office  of  Bonsall  and  Niles  ^vas  just  above.  This 
for  some  time  was  conducted  -by  Robert  Corum,  a  reputed  literary 
character. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  239 

Many  worthy  persons  lived  on  the  opposite  side,  who  glided  so 
smoothly  down  the  stream  of  time  that  we  know  no  incident  to  relate. 
Peter  Bryuberg,  a  printer,  was  a  worthy  man  of  Swedish  descent. 
He  also  kept  a  book  store  here,  and  was  one  of  the  publishers  of  the 
Episcopal  prayer  book,  altered  to  suit  the  constitution  of  the  young 
repul)lic. 

His  son-in-law,  Robert  Porter,  was  his  successor,  who  was  long  an 
elder  of  the  second  Presbyterian  congregation.  Mr.  Porter's  descen- 
dants have  continued  the  book  business  with  respectability  and  suc- 
cess, and  we  are  happy  to  add  they  sustain  the  integrity  of  character 
inherited  from  their  Swedish  ancestors. 

The  residence  of  Robert  Hamilton,  Esq.,  was  in  the  square  above. 
His  promptness  and  decision  in  his  duty  as  an  officer,  exacting  the 
like  from  his  subordinates,  secured  a  well  ordered  police.  Under  his 
administration  a  most  extraordinary  incident  occurred. 

A  French  gentleman,  with  the  best  credentials,  offered  himself  as 
teacher.  He  also  stated  he  had  been  a  merchant  of  some  note  in 
New  Orleans,  and  there  failed  honorably.  Mr.  Hewlings,  American 
consul  there  at  the  time  of  his  failure,  was  now  boarding  in  this  town 
and  knew  the  fact.  He,  therefore,  took  lodgings  in  the  same  house 
with  Mr.  Hewlings,  and  was  much  encouraged  by  a  number  of  re- 
spectable pupils,  who  considered  him  a  well  qualified  and  faithful 
teacher. 

His  wife  and  an  only  daughter  were  in  Paris,  and  had  promised, 
whenever  he  could  establish  himself  in  his  profession,  to  provide  a 
home  ;  they  would  be  content  even  to  share  his  poverty.  His  pros- 
pects were  so  bright  that  he  expected  to  send  for  those  absent  ones. 
This  buoyed  up  his  spirits  with  ardent  hope,  so  soon  to  embrace  those 
whom  he  held  most  dear  on  earth.  No  one  was  more  joyous,  and  his 
happy  disposition  cheered  the  whole  family,  and  won  the  kindest 
feelings  of  his  fellow-boarders  as  well  as  of  his  pupils. 

Amidst  all  these  advantages  and  enthusiasm,  an  apparently  ac- 
complished French  lady  arrived  and  inquired  for  Mons.  Bergcrac,  and 
found  his  residence,  and  presented  herself  in  Esquire  Hamilton's 
office  to  demand  a  summons  for  Mons.  B.,  whom  she  accused  of 
forgery  to  a  large  amount  on  the  Spanish  minister,  then  residing 
in  Philadelphia. 

Consequently  Mons.  went  fearlessly  to  the  office,  and  laced  his 
accuser,  and  he  recognized  her,  and  said  he  knew  that  she  had  lived 
in  New  Orleans. 


240  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Her  assertions  were  bold  and  positive,  naming  the  time  and  place 
where  the  notes  were  given  by  his  own  hands,  and  the  value  received. 
This  stranger's  story  was  well  told,  in  the  most  fascinating  manner, 
and  made  a  great  impression  ;  for  he  could  bring  forward  no  circum- 
stances to  favor  his  innocence. 

Her  firmness  induced  the  squire  and  most  others  to  believe  him 
guilty,  and  he  was  placed  under  guard  strictly,  for  a  short  time,  to 
give  him  a  chance  to  obtain  security  for  his  appearance  at  court.  A 
failure  in  this  would  doom  him  to  imprisonment  and  be  fatal  to  his 
future  prospects,  and  he  seemed  to  be  hedged  in,  and  hardly  dared  to 
hope  that  any  one  would  take  upon  them  such  a  risk   for  a  stranger. 

The  Episcopal  clergyman.  Rev.  W.  Pryce,  was  kind-hearted,  and 
took  charge  of  him  for  the  allotted  time,  entreating  him  to  reflect 
whether  any  little  incident  could  be  remembered  to  inspire  hope. 

He  had  letters  of  introduction  to  Mr.  Pryce  and  P.  Bauduy,  Esq., 
and  they  knew  no  more  of  him.  Neither  of  these  persons  believed 
him  guilty,  although  the  accusation  was  so  strongly  made  that  he  was 
enveloped  in  a  dark  mantle  of  suspicion. 

Mr.  Bauduy's  benevolent  heart  was  touched  by  the  deep  affliction 
of  his  countryman,  in  a  strange  laud,  and  he  came  forward  to  offer 
security  to  the  amazement  of  the  whole  community  ;  and  the  large 
sum  was  the  theme  of  conversation,  for  I  think  it  demanded  thou- 
sands, and  though  the  act  was  condemned  as  so  imprudent,  yet  the 
purely  charitable  motive  elicited  applause. 

Mons.  Bergerac  knew  that  public  opinion  was  against  him,  and  he 
most  feelingly  entreated  his  pupils  not  to  abandon  him,  but  await  his 
trial.  He  knew  of  no  human  witness  to  call  upon,  but  faith  induced 
him  to  hope  that  the  court  of  heaven  would  open  a  way  for  earthly 
justice. 

Hk  guilt  was  so  strongly  impressed  upon  many  that  his  pupils 
reluctantly  received  his  instruction.  Being  aware  of  this,  his  feelings 
were  deeply  wounded,  and  it  caused  a  sad  depression  of  spirits.  At 
length  the  day  of  trial  came.  The  season  was  cold  and  gloomy,  and, 
to  save  expense  and  time,  he  walked  to  and  from  Philadelphia  in  the 
night. 

Mr.  Hewlings,  who  still  retained  his  confidence  in  him,  entrusted 
to  his  care  a  draft  for  five  hundred  dollars,  to  be  exchanged  in  one  of 
the  city  banks. 

There  was  no  trial  on  that  day,  and  the  next  it  was  postponed. 
Late  in  the  evening  he  set  oflT  to  walk  home  ;  a  threatening  storm  and 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  241 

cold  beset  his  way.     At  dark,  near  Darby,  a  cart  passed.     He  thought 
the  driver  eyed  him  closely. 

As  night  was  closing  in,  he  hastened  on,  and  soon  stepped  into  an 
inn  to  warm  himself.  A  little  space  on  this  side  of  Darby  he  over- 
took the  same  cart,  and  the  driver  invited  him  to  ride.  He  thanked 
him  politely,  and  said  "  that  he  could  keep  warmer  walking  ;"  but 
very  soon  he  was  pressed  to  drive  as  a  favor  for  a  little  time,  while  the 
man  so  benumbed  with  cold  would  warm  himself  by  walking. 

To  this  request  he  acceded.  With  the  checks  for  Mr.  Hewlings  in 
his  pocket,  a  valuable  gold  watch,  and  new  silk  umbrella,  and  a 
change  of  clothes  in  a  bundle,  he  mounted  into  the  cart. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  rascal  stopped  the  horse  to  get  in,  and  as  he 
stepped  out  seized  him,  demanding  his  valuables.  A  scuffle  ensued, 
in  which  his  face  was  deeply  cut,  and  his  eye  seriously  injured.  He 
retained  his  watch,  but  the  umbrella  and  clothes  were  gone,  and  the 
villian  drove  off  as  fast  as  possible. 

After  a  long  walk  in  the  hail  and  raiu,  freezing  his  face,  with  noth- 
ing to  shield  it  from  the  sleet  and  piercing  cold,  near  Chester  he  took 
off  his  neck  handkerchief  to  tie  up  his  face  and  guard  his  wound 
from  the  weather  ;  and  putting  his  hand  into  his  pocket,  he  missed  the 
pocket  book  and  checks. 

In  wild  dismay  he  screamed  aloud,  feeling  that  his  character  was 
irretrievably  lost.  How  was  he  to  meet  his  kind  friend  ?  The  story 
would  appear  fabulous. 

He  ran  back  almost  breathless,  praying  with  his  whole  heart  for 
Almighty  guidance  to  direct  his  footsteps.  "  Behold,  I  send  an  angel 
before  thee  to  keep  thee  in  the  way,  and  bring  thee  into  the  place." 
He  knew  the  spot  when  he  saw  the  blood  that  flowed  in  his  struggle  ; 
and  scrambled  in  the  frozen  snow  like  a  maniac,  when  to  his  inex- 
pressible joy,  he  turned  up  the  little  package  of  white  paper  enclosing 
the  checks,  which  caused  him  to  rejoice  on  his  way,  while  his  heart 
overflowed  with  gratitude  for  the  interposition  of  a  benign  Providence, 
whom  he  felt  had  rescued  him  from  impending  ignominy. 

He  seemed  insensible  to  the  state  of  his  wounds,  and  at  midnight 
arrived  at  Chester,  and  knocked  at  Major  Anderson's  door  for  ad- 
mittance. 

Their  kind  attention  soothed  him  in  distress.     Medical  aid  was  in- 
stantly sought  and  his  wounds  dressed.     A   few   days  quietness  was 
required,  and  to  keep  his  face  from  exposure,  which  time  healed,  but 
the  mark  was  borne  to  his  grave. 
31 


242  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Previous  to  the  trial  boino'  l)rought  into  court,  unexpected  letters 
from  New  Orleans  proved  his  d(!parture  from  that  place  some  weeks  be- 
fore the  date  of  these  forged  notes,  and  fully  released  him  from  this  most 
unjust  accusation,  fixing  the  guilt  on  those  connected  with  the  accuser. 

In  enumerating  his  disastrous  changing  scenes  of  life,  he  would 
exclaim,  "But  my  adventure  with  my  woman  was  the  worst  of  all  my 
troubles."  In  succeeding  years  he  was  an  acceptable  professor  in  St. 
Mary's  College,  Baltimore. 

The  mansion  just  above,  now  the  Delaware  House,  or  Brook 
Turner's  hotel,  was  built  by  Mr.  Abijah  Dawes,  who  was  a  member  of 
an  old  and  respectable  family.  A  remarkable  and  well-authenticated 
incident,  that  occurred  in  1786,  may  be  worth  relating. 

Edward  Dawes,  a  promising  young  man,  had  been  a  long  time 
lingering  with  diseased  lungs,  and  now  confined  to  his  bed,  so  debili- 
tated in  the  last  days  of  his  life  that  he  was  unable  even  to  raise  his 
hand,  and  the  solemn  night  of  death  drew  his  relatives  around  him  to 
witness  the  closing  scene. 

When  they  thought  the  agony  was  over,  and  the  spirit  had  taken 
its  flight,  and  the  nurse  approached  to  perform  his  last  duty,  he 
opened  his  eyes  and  asked  for  paper,  &c.,  and  to  have  a  table  brought 
to  the  bedside  ;  then  raised  up,  putting  his  feet  out  of  the  bed  without 
assistance,  took  the  pen,  and  wrote  a  letter  to  his  uncle,  who  had  spent 
years  in  the  West  Indies,  and  had  entered  into  fashionable  life  in  that 
gay  country.  He  sealed  this  letter  and  directed  it  himself,  and 
handed  it  to  his  uncle,  Rumford  Dawes,  at  whose  house  he  was, 
requesting  him  to  present  it  to  his  Uncle  Cephas,  and  immediately 
fell  on  his  bed  and  breathed  no  more. 

In  the  morning  his  uncle  C.  D.  entered  the  room  ;  this  letter  w'as 
handed  him.  He  walked  the  floor,  evidently  agitated,  on  reading  the 
letter,  and  exclaimed,  "  What  did  the  poor  foolish  youth  mean  by  thus 
addressing  me?"  Inimediately  he  ordered  a  tailor  to  make  him  a 
new  suit,  and  he  dressed  in  so  plain  a  style  that  no  one  could  recognize 
him.  In  a  few  weeks  symptoms  of  insanity  appeared,  and  after  years' 
confinement'' in  his  brother's  house,  he  was  removed  to  the  Pennsylva- 
nia Hospital,  where  he  spent  twelve  years.  In  his  later  days  he  was 
as  innocent  as  an  infant. 

Great  curiosity  was  excited  to  know  the  contents  of  this  letter,  and 
searcli  was  fruitless  ;  again  and  again  his  papers  were  turned  over,  for 
they  were  all  in  R.  D.'s  possession,  and  it  was  concluded  he  had  des- 
troyed it. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  243 

Thirty-two  years  after  the  event  had  lia})peiicd,  a  son  of  Rumford 
Dawes  was  sent  to  the  same  hospital.  To  employ  his  mind  on  that 
day,  he  turned  out  a  liarrel  of  old  paper?;,  and  the  first  that  fixed  his 
attention  was  the  desired  letter,  handed  to  me  by  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
E.  Massey,  with  a  request  to  copy  it  and  present  it  to  Mrs.  Ann  Lati- 
mer, who  witnessed  the  fact.  Although  there  is  nothing  })ec'uliarly 
striking  in  it,  I  have  transcribed  it  for  perusal.  The  following  is  an 
exact  copy. 

2Wi  \st  month,  178G,  at  nirjld. 

My  Dear  Uncle  : — As  the  agonies  of  an  almost  expiring  nephew 
were  over  me,  I  queried  what  was  the  cause,  and  it  was  intelligibly 
revealed  to  me.  Thou  sufferest  for  thy  uncle,  C.  D.  Write  to  him. 
It  now  comes  in  my  view  to  remind  thee  that  the  wisdom  of  this  world 
is  foolishness  in  the  sight  of  God.  It  has  frequently  given  me  pain  to 
see  a  person  allowed  to  possess  understanding  enter  my  room,  in  a 
character  and  appearance  so  derogatory  to  the  principles  and  profes- 
sion of  a  true  Quaker.  My  dear  uncle,  make  a  change,  and  repent 
ere  it  be  too  late  ;  trust  not  to  a  death-bed  repentance. 

This  is  suggested  to  me  for  the  relief  of  my  own  mind,  and  I  sin- 
cerely believe  for  thy  eternal  welfare.  Not  feeling  any  thing  more,  I 
wish  thy  everlasting  happiness, 

And  am  thy  loving  nephew, 

Edward  Dawes. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  French  emigrants,  this  mansion  was  taken 
by  Mons.  Dcscha])pelles,  and  was  long  the  residence  of  his  son-in-law, 
Peter  Bauduy,  Esq. 

More  than  forty  years  have  passed  since  this  house  was  the  dwel- 
ling-place of  Gen.  Stockton,  who  was  well  known  here.  An  only 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  a  very  elegant  young  lady,  married  Jolni  Straw- 
bridge,  Esquire,  and  in  the  bloom  of  youth  death  summoned  her  to 
leave  an  aflfectionate  husband  and  two  infants.  "  Arc  not  my  days 
few  ?     The  eye  of  him  that  hath  seen  me  shall  see  me  no  more." 

The  youngest  son  was  killed  in  an  engagement  on  the  lakes  in 
1813,  and  the  eldest  son,  Capt.  Thomas  Stockton,  commanded  a  com- 
pany in  the  same  war  with  England,  and  distinguished  himself  in  bat- 
tle on  the  Canada  line.  He  returned  lioinc  full  of  honors,  and  was 
elected  Governor  of  Delaware.  Amidst  his  i)opularity  he  was  ordered, 
in  a  moment,  to  resign  his  honors  and  mingle  with  the  dust.  Hi.s 
death  was  much  lamented  by  numerous  friends. 


244  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

The  northeast  corner  below  was  the  residence  of  Job  Harvey,  of 
an  old  family,  once  engaged  in  commerce.  He  died  in  old  age,  a 
wealthy  man.     His  descendants  own  the  property,  now  a  hotel. 

Next  door  to  Mr.  Harvey  lived  the  highly  respectable  family,  Mr. 
Geddes,  whose  handsome  daughters  were  belles  of  the  day.  Mrs.  G. 
was  an  estimable  lady,  of  more  than  ordinary  beauty.  They  had  re- 
moved to  Philadelphia ;  and  this  excellent  lady,  while  on  a  visit  to 
Miss  Vining,  was  taken  ill  in  the  night,  and  in  the  morning  her  spirit 
had  winged  its  flight  for  an  eternal  home. 

Above  was  the  residence  of  an  old  lady,  Mrs.  Margaret  Marshall, 
whom  everybody  seemed  to  know  in  her  day  as  "  Aunt  Marshall," 
and  to  appreciate  her  excellence.  Her  large  garden  was  kept  in  the 
neatest  order,  filled  with  fruits  and  flowers,  and  the  kind  reception 
that  welcomed  her  visitors,  on  entering  her  domicil,  is  still  by  many 
held  in  grateful  remembrance. 

In  1798,  the  Town  Hall  was  erected,  and  thought  a  very  handsome 
building,  beautifully  situated.  Peter  Bauduy,  Esq.,  drew  the  plan. 
From  the  cupola  there  is  a  most  extensive  view.  A  good  bell  was 
presented  by  Joseph  Tatuall,  Esq.  The  yard  is  bounded  by  King 
street,  and  graced  by  noble  elms.  The  cells  underneath  superseded 
the  old  smoke  house,  and  a  large  clock  in  front,  with  the  clear-toned 
bell,  gives  hourly  warning  of  departing  time. 

Near  Market  street,  on  Hanover,  was  a  one-story  brick  school 
house,  kept  by  Mr.  Jordan,  a  celebrated  teacher.  The  Baptists  fitted 
it  up  for  a  place  of  worship,  from  whom  it  was  purchased  by  the 
Episcopalians,  and  for  years  was  used  as  a  lecture  room  for  Trinity 
Church. 

The  Bank  of  Delaware  is  on  the  north  east  corner.  In  this  square 
was  an  old  hipt-roof  frame,  long  known  as  the  dwelling  of  Michael 
Wolfe,  biscuit  baker.  The  old  people  here  can  remember  him  carry- 
ing a  big  basket  on  his  head  filled  with  butter  biscuit,  crackers,  Na- 
ples biscuit,  A.  P.'s  (so  called  from  the  initials  of  the  maker  on  the 
cakes,  Ann  Page,  Philadelphia,)  and  ginger-bread  in  rolls  and  squares, 
passing  through  the  street ;  and  he  often  walked  to  Newport  and  New 
Castle  with  this  heavy  load,  and  was  ^always  cheerful  and  obliging. 
He  sustained  his  good  character  in  old  age,  and  ended  his  weary  pil- 
grimage in  this  ancient  abode. 


CH-APTEE  XXIY. 

Abijah  Dawes — Fiench  Amiy — Gunning  Bedford,  Esq. — Dr.  F'rankliu— Dr. 
McKinley — Governor  Dickinson— John  Riunsey,  Escj. — Old  Academy — Its 
clianges — Professor  Patterson — Funeral  Procession — Old  Presbyterian 
Church  and  Cemetery. 

The  mansion  on  the  east  side  above  Eighth  street  -was  built  liy 
Abijah  DaAves.  In  the  Revohition  it  was  the  headquarters  of  the 
French  army.  A  large  sum  in  French  crowns,  for  their  support,  was 
packed  in  kegs  and  deposited  in  the  cellar.  Be  it  said  to  the  shame 
of  an  American,  and  one  of  some  standing,  too,  who  found  access  by 
night,  to  break  a  hole  in  the  wall  and  secrete  a  number  of  kegs  in  a 
well  in  this  yard.  By  an  unforseen  incident  he  was  detected,  to  the 
joy  of  our  allies  and  the  disgrace  of  the  base  perpetrator. 

The  next  occupant  was  Judge  Bedford,  an  officer  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, to  whom  General  Washington  presented  his  pocket  pistols  as  a 
token  of  his  approbation  of  his  services.  After  the  general's  decease, 
Lady  Washington  (so  called  in  those  days),  as  a  memento  of  her  re- 
gard, presented  to  him  the  masonic  sash  worn  by  her  venerated  gen- 
eral. It  was  of  crimson  satin.  The  pistols  are  in  the  possession  of 
his  daughter.  Gunning  Bedford,  Esq.,  was  also  a  member  of  the 
olden  Congress,  when  this  kState  was  nobly  represented. 

Judge  Bedford  and  his  lady  were  remarkably  handsome  persons, 
and  of  noble  stature.  Mrs.  B.  had  received  an  accomplished  educa- 
tion, and  spoke  French  fluently,  her  mother  l)eiug  a  native  of  France. 
When  emigrants  from  that  country  crowded  this  town,  Mrs.  B.  was 
their  friend  and  patron.  Her  entertainments  excelled  in  tasteful  ar- 
rangements and  ornamental  display — so  said  foreigners.  Her  father, 
James  Parker,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  was  an  early  friend  and  compan 
ion  of  Dr.  Franklin,  with  whom  this  lady  was  a  favorite  and  a  corres- 
pondent during  life,  and  he  favored  her  father's  views  in  giving  her  a 
a  classical  education  ;  and  when  Mr.  Parker  edited  a  paper  in  New 
York,  his  daughter  lightened  his  labor  by  her  pen,  both  by  writing 
and  translating.  Some  of  these  papers  are  now  in  Miss  B.'s  i)os- 
session. 

Many  remembrances  of  Dr.  Franklin  are  still  in  her  daughter's 
31*  245 


246  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

hands.  The  first  silver  dolhir  he  earned,  when  a  newsboy,  he  had 
made  into  a  puneh  strainer,  and  he  and  Mr.  Parker  exchanged,  each 
having  the  same,  and  this  is  held  as  a  relic.  The  gold  pen  and  pencil 
with  which  he  wrote  his  diplomatic  dispatches  from  England  and 
France,  were  his  memento  to  her  on  the  close  of  his  useful  career ; 
and  his  own  prayer  book,  which  he  used  at  chuch,  was  affectionately 
presented  with  his  advice — the  same  as  given  to  his  daughter  on  leav- 
ing her,  and  in  his  estimation  it  was  not  a  trifling  gift. 

"  Go  to  church  constantly,  whoever  preaches.  The  act  of  devotion 
in  the  common  prayer-book  is  your  principal  business  there  ;  and  if 
properly  attended  to  will  do  more  towards  mending  the  hearts  than 
sermons  generally  can  do ;  for  they  were  composed  by  men  of  much 
greater  piety  and  wisdom  than  our  common  composers  of  sermons  can 
pretend  to,  and  therefore  I  wish  you  never  to  miss  the  prayer  day. 

"  Yet  I  do  not  mean  you  should  despise  sermons  even  if  you  dis- 
like the  preacher,  for  the  discourse  is  often  much  better  than  the  man, 
as  sweet  and  clear  water  comes  through  very  dirty  earth." 

Abijah  Dawes  left  this  property  by  will  to  his  niece,  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Massey,  and  it  was  occupied  by  Thomas  Massey  a  few  years,  and 
sold  during  the  last  war  with  England  to  Louis  McLane,  Esq.,  and 
w^as  his  residence  for  many  years  until  his  appointment  as  minister  to 
England. 

Mrs.  McLane  has  been  called  in  premature  age  to  resign  her 
earthly  cares  we  trust  for  a  heavenly  home.  A  brief  tribute  to  one 
who  passed  most  of  her  early  years  among  us  may  be  appropriate. 
Perhaps  her  happiest  days  at  school  and  as  a  married  lady  were  spent 
here.  No  one  was  a  more  devoted  wife,  nor  more  honored  her  friends 
in  a  foreign  land.  Her  long  affliction  was  borne  with  calm  resigna- 
tion, and  ere  the  close  she  confessed  her  Saviour  before  men. 

The  mansion  southwest  corner  of  Broad  street  was  built  by  an 
emigrant,  M.  Sarsney,  who  resided  in  it  for  years,  and  returned  to 
Paris  after  the  restoration  of  the  Bourbons.  He  was  of  the  house- 
hold of  the  Duke  de  Berri.  We  regret  to  pass  unnoticed  many 
worthy  citizens,  of  whom  no  incidents  are  revived  or  to  be  retained  in 
memory. 

The  square  on  the  east  side  was  the  property  of  Dr.  McKinley  on 
ground-rent  to  the  Swedes'  Church,  and  somewhere  about  1792  he 
generously  offered  to  tranfer  back  his  title  to  the  vestry,  if  they  would 
there  erect  a  church,  and  occupy  the  whole  lot  planting  it  with  trees 
and  shrubbery. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  247 

A  motion  was  made  to  that  effect  during  the  recto rshij)  of  the 
Rev.  J.  Clarkson,  and  a  considerable  sum  subscribed,  with  the 
promise  of  a  fine  bell  from  Capt.  Thomas  Fort,  but  so  much  opposi- 
tion was  made  by  the  country  members  that  it  was  finally  abandoned. 

In  those  days  this  lot  was  much  higher  ground.  For  thirty  years 
much  labor  has  been  spent  in  digging  it  down.  Formerly  it  was  sown 
in  clover,  now  and  then  in  wheat  or  planted  in  corn,  and  sometimes 
used  for  pasture  ;  and  there  were  a  few  apple  trees  that  gave  it  a 
rural  appearance,  though  the  houses  were  thinly  scattered  in  this 
neighborhood. 

In  1797,  Governor  Dickinson  was  in  treaty  for  it  to  build  a  man- 
sion in  the  centre  and  ornament  the  surrounding  ground,  and  had 
increased  the  sum  first  oftered  to  nineteen  hundred  pounds,  but  Doctor 
McKinley  still  demanded  a  small  advance,  when  a  trifling  aftair 
caused  a  misunderstanding,  which  closed  the  transaction.  This  was 
much  regreted  by  Governor  Dickinson,  as  it  would  have  added  little 
to  his  expenses  and  much  to  gratify  his  taste.  He  then  improved  the 
old  one  on  the  corner  of  Kent  street,  renewed  the  front,  and  put  up 
extensive  back  buildings,  which  made  it  a  costly  dwelling ;  this  was 
his  residence  from  1798  till  his  decease. 

Governor  Dickinson  was  a  prominent  actor  in  the  Revolution,  and 
the  author  of  the  celebrated  Farmer's  Letters.  He  filled  many  high 
stations,  which  gave  him  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  annals  of  his 
country,  so  that  it  leaves  but  little  else  to  be  told  of  him,  even  by 
those  who  knew  him  best. 

But  as  an  honored  son  of  Delaware,  we  hope  our  tribute  of  re- 
spect, as  a  memorial  of  small  things  in  private  life,  will  not  be  deemed 
presumptive  from  an  individual  by  whom  he  was  long  known  and 
valued  as  a  neighbor,  nor  be  uninteresting  to  those  who  knew  that  he 
remembered  the  poor  of  the  laud. 

One  family  named,  which  was  reduced  from  luxury  to  the  deepest 
penury,  was  for  a  long  season  one  of  his  pensioners,  and  sustained 
with  a  l)eautiful  hand. 

Others  of  a  respectable  class  were  subjects  of  his  benevolence,  and 
the  genial  rays  of  his  guardian  influence  ofttimes  refreshed  the  wid- 
ow's heart  with  gladness,  and  bid  the  fatherless  rejoice,  when  her  or- 
phan boy  was  educated  through  his  fostering  care,  for  no  i)ublic 
schools  were  here  in  by-gone  days  as  nurseries  for  needy  children. 

It  seemed  that  all  the  little  ones  were  objects  of  his  interest,  and 
these  were  so  sensitive  to  his  regard  that  mingled  groups  of  all  classes 


248  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

would  cucircle  him  in  the  street,  and  desirous  of  his  notice  salute  him 
thus — "  Governor,  how  do  you  do,  sir?"  and  tliey  would  be  so  de- 
lighted by  his  kind  reply — "  Thank  you,  rny  little  ones  ;  how  are  all 
your  daddies  and  mammies  ?" 

Ofttimes  he  would  take  them  home,  and  leave  them  to  stand  under 
a  window  near  the  door  while  he  threw  out  pennies  or  small  silver 
pieces,  and  apples,  nuts,  &c.,  and  be  much  amused  to  see  them 
scramble  for  the  booty  ;  but  the  unsuccessful  one  was  always  called 
in  for  his  or  her  share  ;  and  children  were  so  accustomed  to  get  cake, 
that  once,  while  they  were  at  dinner  and  several  guests  at  the  table, 
a  little  urchin  slipped  in,  ran  forward  and  said,  "  Govenor,  will  you 
sell  me  cakes  to-day  ?"  Such  things  seem  trifling  to  relate,  yet  they 
often  portray  the  genuine  feelings  of  the  heart.  However  exalted  an 
individual  may  be,  a  portion  of  his  life  is  made  up  of  small  incidents, 
which  often  exemplify  the  real  character.  The  sick  and  sorrowing 
were  remembered  in  acts  of  kindness. 

War  with  England  had  long  been  the  theme,  and  this  patriot  de- 
plored the  desolating  scourge.  Having  passed  through  it  once,  he 
most  ardently  desired  his  country  might  never  be  involved  more  in 
such  an  evil,  and  it  seemed  to  make  upon  him  a  deep  and  abiding 
impression.  Ere  the  evil  befell  us,  he  was  removed,  in  full  possession 
of  his  faculties,  even  with  good  eyesight,  never  having  worn  glasses. 

A  few  mouths  previous  to  his  decease,  and  while  in  perfect  health, 
we  were  deeply  impressed  by  his  conversation  on  the  uncertainty  of 
life ;  when  he  observed  all  his  worldly  concerns  were  arranged,  and 
his  mind  in  peace  on  that  subject,  and  he  felt  that  his  earthly  career 
was  near  the  close.  His  ancestors  had  departed  about  the  seventy- 
sixth  year  of  their  age,  and  he  was  waiting  a  like  event,  and  striving 
to  prepare  to  enter  "  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death." 

One  week's  indisposition  led  him  to  the  tomb,  lamented  as  a 
patriot,  statesman,  and  kind  neighbor,  and  still  far  better  as  a  Chris- 
tian. "  And  he  died  in  a  good  old  age,  full  of  days,  riches  and 
honors." 

Many  worthy  neighbors  have  since  then  passed  into  the  grave. 
One  of  whom,  Cyrus  Newlin,  a  benevolent  friend,  never  turned  the 
deserving  poor  from  his  door,  nor  was  charity  solicited  of  him  in  vain, 
for  his  purse  and  hands  were  open.  "  Give  alms  of  thy  goods,  and 
never  turn  thy  face  from  any  poor  man  ;  and  then  the  face  of  the 
Lord  shall  not  be  turned  away  from  thee." 

John  Rumsey's   residence  was  in  this  square,  and   the  family  were 


-  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  249 

valued  neighbors.  Mrs.  Anna  Rumsey  was  affable  and  meek  in 
manner,  a  sincere  friend  and  practical  Christian,  a  member  ol"  Trinity 
Church,  and  unceasing  in  her  duties.  She  attended  the  Sunday 
School  from  its  infancy,  rarely  absent,  and  never  late  in  attendance. 
With  the  kindest  feelings,  she  gave  a  word  in  season  to  the  numerous 
classes  as  they  carae  in  turn. 

Mrs.  Rumsey  was  pre-eminent  in  the  religious  instruction  of 
youth,  and  her  good  works,  we  trust,  were  recorded  in  heaven,  where 
she  laid  up  her  treasure.  On  errands  of  mercy  to  visit  the  sick  and 
needy,  our  lot  was  often  to  witness  her  retiring  modesty  and  humility. 
We  truly  believe  very  few  more  strictly  fulfil  the  command  of  the 
evangelist,  "  When  thou  doest  alms,  let  not  thy  left  hand  know  what 
thy  right  hand  doeth." 

Mrs.  Mary  Jones,  on  this  square,  was  a  companion  of  our  school 
days,  and  amid  the  varied  scenes  of  childhood  and  youth  year.-^ 
rolled  on  with  no  intermission  of  friendship.  Her  amiable  disposition 
and  kind  feelings  knew  no  change.  She  died  before  she  was  assailed 
by  the  infirmities  of  age,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
"Blessed  is  every  one  who  feareth  the  Lord,  that  walketh  in  his 
ways." 

Though  the  little  brick  house  set  back,  with  a  nice  paled  yard,  and 
pretty  shrubbery  and  trees,  has  given  place  to  modern  houses,  and 
the  deserving  occupants  have  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth,  Andrew 
and  Laurette  Noels,  colored  people,  are  remembered,  whose  useful  and 
orderly  habits,  and  the  good  training  of  their  children,  might  be  an 
example  to  many  of  a  higher  class.  Their  house  was  well  furnished 
and  kept  neat,  with  a  handsome  garden  in  perfect  order. 

In  sickness,  they  were  esteemed  the  best  nurses,  ever  ready  to 
serve ;  and  none  were  more  acceptable.  These  respectable  colored 
people  came  to  this  place  as  slaves  to  French  families,  and  were 
manumitted  by  their  kind  master.  None  had  a  more  respectable  fu- 
neral than  Andrew  Noels,  who  lived  in  peace  and  good  will  to  his 
neighbors. 

Also  Abraham  and  Delia  Dores,  who  were  slaves  to  Dr.  Way's 
brother  in  the  West  Indies,  were  also  freed.  These  two  men  were 
Jong  in  partnership  as  noted  barbers.  Every  Saturday  night  they 
dividid  the  profits  of  the  week. 

Alexander  Bauduy,  Esq.,  owned  a  house  above,  where  his  family 
resided  for  years.     Part  of  the  time,  he  Avas  iiu  aide  to  Napoleon  Bo- 
naparte.    His  only  son,  a  promising  young  man,  died  in  Cul)a. 
32 


250  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

Mrs.  Brooks,  a  worthy  widow,  lived  next  to  the  Academy  for  years, 
and  had  in  charge  a  number  of  misses  from  distant  places  to  be  edu- 
cated here.  This  lady  was  sister  to  Major  Patten,  to  whose  memory, 
as  the  friend  of  a  beloved  parent,  we  will  pay  a  tribute  of  respect  in 
its  proper  place. 

And  what  shall  we  say  now  of  that  once  honored  relic,  the  Old 
Academy,  oi]  the  northern  front  of  the  square  between  Eighth  and 
Ninth  and  Market  and  King  streets?  It  is  gone!  But  its  usefulness 
hag  left  a  freshness  on  our  memory  that  ofttimes  recalls  its  former 
glory — a  noble  stone  edifice,  of  the  neatest  mason  work,  graced  by 
majestic  forest  trees  on  the  surrounding  grounds,  commanding  an  ex- 
tensive prospect  of  land  and  water. 

The  celebrated  Whitefield  notices  it  in  his  journal,  1774.  "  In  the 
academy  woods,  I  preached  to  three  thousand  people." 

The  land  was  Stalcup's,  who  I  think  was  the  donor,  to  promote 
knowledge  and  to  bequeath  to  future  generations  a  most  valuable  en- 
dowment. Public-spirited  men  erected  it,  and  the  fathers  of  the 
country  were  overseers.  The  trustees  were  men  competent  for  such  an 
office. 

Rev.  Lawrence  Girelius  was  chairman  of  the  board  while  he  re- 
mained in  the  country.  Bishop  White,  Hon.  Thomas  McKean,  Dr. 
Robert  Smith,  Thomas  Gilpin,  of  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Nicholas  Way, 
Joseph  Shallcross,  Esq.,  Professor  Robert  Patterson,  had  it  first  in 
charge — he  was  the  father  of  Dr.  Robert  M.  Patterson,  President  of 
the  Mint — and  this  literary  institution  promised  to  realize  the  most 
sanguine  hopes  of  its  founders  by  the  respectability  and  number  of 
pupils. 

As  the  genial  influence  of  learning  was  putting  forth  blossoms  and 
shedding  a  fragrace  o'er  the  community,  the  canker-worm  of  war, 
ever  destructive  to  good,  nipped  some  of  the  brightest  plants,  and 
withered  its  prosperity. 

Conflicting  armies  were  quartered  here  at  different  periods  of  the 
Revolutionary  struggle,  and  academical  instruction  suspended.  This 
noble  fabric  was  converted  into  a  barrack  and  hospital. 

Professor  Patterson  turned  his  attention  to  military  operations,  and 
being  the  only  qualified  instructor  in  those  tactics,  he  was  the  first  to 
exercise  the  young  men  of  this  town.  Israel  Gilpin  was  the  first  cap- 
tain under  his  training.  Professor  Patterson  joined  the  New  Jersey 
line,  and  was  a  major  in  the  paymaster's  department  during  the  war. 

Once  more  the  country  was  hailed  with  the  joyful  sound  of  peace, 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  251 

harbinger  of  good  to  man,  and  the  duties  of  this  institution  were  re- 
sumed with  renewed  hopes  of  prosperity.  The  professors  were  M. 
Murdoch  and  M.  Maffit.  On  the  departure  of  the  Rev.  L.  Girelius, 
it  seemed  for  a  time  on  the  wane.  Soon  after  peace  was  established, 
an  assemblage  of  scientific  men,  provided  with  instruments  for  obser- 
vation from  the  top  of  this  academy,  met  in  town — Doctors  Franklin, 
Rittenhouse,  B.  Rush,  Mr.  Madison,  and  others.  Dr.  Franklin  also 
made  an  experiment  here  on  electricity,  when  a  number  of  the  literati 
were  present. 

Here,  too,  one  of  the  first  general  conventions  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  met  in  its  earliest  days  under  the  new  republic, 
which  drew  hither  many  wise  men  to  suit  their  organization  to  the 
laws  of  the  laud. 

Ere  the  close  of  the  last  century,  literary  pursuits  were  abandoned, 
and  this  noble  building,  so  beautifully  situated  for  a  seat  of  learning, 
was  changed  to  a  manufactory,  every  room  filled  with  spinning-jennies 
and  looms. 

At  length  the  citizens  awoke  from  their  slumbers  to  an  active  sense 
of  duty,  and  appointed  new  trustees,  Drs.  J.  Latimer,  E.  A.  Smith, 
Dr.  Read,  Dr.  James  Tilton,  Sr.,  Judge  Bedford,  and  R.  Hamilton, 
Esq.,  by  whom  competent  teachers  were  elected  to  fill  two  depart- 
ments, jne  for  male,  the  other  for  female  students.  Once  more  the 
sunshine  of  literature  brightened  up  the  old  academy,  if  not  to  gild 
their  hall  in  glory,  at  least  to  honor  the  vicinity  by  a  respectable  high 
school,  where  many  pupils  did  credit  to  their  teachers  and  honored 
their  parents. 

.  In  conversation  recently  with  a  learned  gentleman,  Mr.  A.  was  the 
subject.  He  was  surprised  to  hear  that  his  education  was  completed 
at  our  old  academy.  Mr.  R.  replie*d  that  Mr.  A.'s  scholarship  would 
do  honor  to  any  institution.  The  same  might  be  said  of  some  in  the 
female  department,  who  would  reflect  honor  on  any  seminary.  The 
public  annual  examinations  were  creditable  to  teachers  and  to  pupils. 
The  boys  had  recitations,  and  were  examined  by  day.  The  evening 
closed  by  exhibitions  from  well-chosen  scenes  in  Shakspeare,  which 
afforded  amusement  to  crowded  assemblies  of  spectators. 

To  enumerate  the  varied  uses  made  of  tiiese  apartments  would  be 
a  difticult  task  at  this  day.  To  begin  with  religious  instructions  pro- 
mulgated here.  Formerly  the  Roman  Catholics  had  no  church  in 
town,  and  a  room  on  the  first  floor  supplied  a  temporary  chapel  on 
Sunday  morning. 


252  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

In  1814,  a  Harmonic  Society  was  organized,  devoted  to  sacred  mu- 
sic :  each  member  paid  fifty  cents  per  quarter,  with  the  privilege  of 
taking  lessons  once  a  week  or  sending  a  su])stitute.  An  upper  room 
was  fitted  up  with  platforms  and  raised  benches;  four  hundred  names 
were  enrolled,  and  several  teachers  employed.  At  the  monthly  con- 
cert, instrumental  music  was  introduced  by  amateurs,  and  the  room 
was  crowded. 

During  this  period  Rev.  W.  Price  held  Episcopal  service  here  on 
Sunday  afternoons ;  and  purchased  an  antiquated  organ,  which  was 
was  paid  for  by  a  collection  taken  from  the  members  of  Trinity 
Church.  No  doubt  was  expressed  of  the  organist's  skill,  yet  no  one 
could  sing  when  he  played,  neither  could  he  play  if  others  sang. 
Sanders,  this  old  German  performer,  was  in  perfect  keeping  with  the 
instrument,  and  looked  as  if  he  belonged  to  an  ancient  race.  He 
wore  a  leathern  pouch  filled  with  Scotch  snuff*,  using  it  by  the  hand- 
ful, and  making  it  fly  till  the  room  would  ring  with  sneezing  in  the 
concert. 

This  apartment  was  fitted  up  in  Masonic  style,  adorned  with  crim- 
son curtains  and  emblems  of  the  secret  art ;  thus  it  was  occupied  for  years. 

In  1818,  the  worthy  teacher  of  languages;  Joseph  Downing,  who 
will  be  long  remembered  by  many  as  a  conscientious  and  faithful  in- 
structor, invited  the  teachers  of  Trinity  Church  Sunday  School,  to 
occupy  the  lower  rooms  ;  and  three  hundred  children  usually  attended. 
A  class  of  German  girls  was  very  interesting,  to  whom  the  Rev.  Levi 
Bull  gave  instructions  in  their  own  language. 

In  1828  we  again  had  afternoon  service  here,  and  a  large  Sunday 
School  until  Trinity  Chapel  was  finished.  Traveling  preachers  with 
or  without  a  creed  had  access  here,  and  all  sorts  of  debating  societies 
and  political  meetings.  ' 

Many  years,  on  Saturday  afternoons,  a  Dorcas  circle  met  in  an 
upper  chamber.  -More  than  thirty  females,  varying  in  age  and  reli- 
gious views,  harmoniously  mingled  to  make  up  garments  for  the  poor. 
Inclement  Aveather  was  no  hindrance  to  their  endeavors  to  clothe  the 
naked.  The  happy  reflection  of  doing  good  w'as  the  stimulus  to 
Greater  exertion.  "  Now  there  was  at  Joppa  a  certain  disciple  called 
Dorcas  ;  this  woman  was  full  of  good  works  and  alms  deeds  ;  she  was 
sick  and  died,  and  all  the  widows  stood  by  weeping,  and  shewing  the 
coats  and  garments  which  Dorcas  made." 

Charitable  meetings  were  held  here,  public  dinners,  singing  and 
dancing  schools,  and  balls. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  253 

In  the  winter  of  1800,  once  a  fortnight  there  was  a  well  regulated 
dancing  party,  called  a  whim.  The  dress  was  simple,  the  refreshments 
plain  cake  and  lemonade.  The  company  were  young  persons,  who 
met  at  candle  light,  and  retired  at  eleven  o'clock.  This  was  directed 
by  a  young  gentleman  now  a  distinguished  statesman. 

On  the  22d  of  February  of  the  same  year,  a  funeral  procession 
for  the  Father  of  his  country  was  directed  by  the  Cincinnati  of  the 
State.  Judge  Bedford  and  Major  Cass  were  masters  of  the  ceremony. 
All  the  arrangements  were  concerted  in  this  building. 

Though  the  procession  moved  from  the  Town  Hall  preceded  by 
the  military  band,  a  detachment  of  the  regular  army  led  the  way 
followed  by  nine  young  girls  to  represent  the  Muses,  and  sixteen 
young  ladies  to  represent  the  States,  all  dressed  in  white  with  short 
sleeves,  then  fashionable,  long  kid  gloves,  little  book  muslin  hats 
turned  up  on  the  side  with  a  black  cockade,  blue  kid  slippers,  a  black 
sash  of  broad  ribbon  over  the  right  shoulder,  tied  in  a  bow  on  the  left 
side.     In  front  was  printed  in  large  gold  letters  the  name  of  a  State. 

Virginia  led  the  southern,  Delaware  the  northern  States.  In  the 
outer  hand  each  one  held  a  sprig  of  laurel ;  entering  the  aisle  it  was 
laid  on  the  bier,  saying,  "  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Washington.  We 
deposit  this  laurel  as  an  emblem  of  his  never  dying  fame." 

Fortunately  it  was  a  very  warm  day,  for  no  shawls  were  to  be  worn 
to  hide  the  dress.  Citizens  followed  these  State  representatives  down 
Market  street  to  Second,  and  up  French  to  the  stone  meeting  house, 
where  an  addi*ess  was  delivered. 

Now  we  have  told  you  what  strange  things  happened  here  fifty 
years  ago. 

After  all  the  accommodations  this  stately  building  afforded,  it  was 
suffered  to  be  sold  for  a  small  debt.  Previous  to  the  sale  one  of  the 
counsel  suggested  to  a  female  that  Trinity  Church  had  better  jnirchase 
the  academy  than  build  a  lecture-room,  for  which  funds  were  collected  ; 
that  twenty-two  hundred  dollars  would  buy  the  venerable  relic. 

This  plan  was  soon  disclosed  to  one  of  the  vestry,  and  a])provcd, 
with  a  promise  that  the  means  should  be  secured.  The  Rev.  Ralph 
Williston  was  to  close  the  bargain  with  his  masonic  brethren,  as  tlie 
debt  was  due  to  them.  A  few  minutes  before  the  appointed  hour, 
David  C.  Wilson  made  the  purchase,  to  our  great  disaj^pointmcnt  and 
regret,  for  all  things  were  arranged  to  alter  the  building  into  a  church, 
and  erect  a  large  seminary  on  another  part  of  the  lot. 

However  disconcerted  at  this  failure,  and  thinking  at  the  time 
32* 


254  Reminisgengeb  of  Wilmington. 

private  interest  ought  to  yield  to  public,  we  are  eompellecl  to  own,  in 
justice  to  Mr.  Wilson,  that  the  erection  of  so  many  good  dwellings  on 
the  spot  was  the  starting  point  of  rapid  improvements,  and  as  a  prac- 
tical business  man  he  must  be  ranked  among  our  most  useful  citizens, 
who  have  contributed  much  to  the  prosperity  of  his  birthplace. 

The  N.  W.  corner  of  Ninth  street  was  the  first  residence  of  Gov- 
ernor Dickinson  in  town.  He  lived  there  several  years.  On  his  re- 
moval it  was  occupied  by  Madame  Bauduy,  mother  of  the  gentleman 
named.     Hence  her  remains  were  carried  to  the  old  Swedes'  Cemetery. 

An  estimable  widow,  Mrs.  Reading,  with  a  large  family,  was  the 
successor  to  this  mansion.  Most  of  her  family  closed  their  earthly 
career  in  youth — "  for  the  morning  was  to  them  even  as  the  shadow 
of  death." 

Above  this  corner  in  Market  street,  within  a  few  years  a  very  an- 
cient dwelling  has  been  removed,  long  known  as  the  Cross  Keys,  after- 
wards as  the  Monumental  Inn.  It  has  given  place  to  modern  dwel- 
lings. 

Before  us,  on  the  east  side  of  Market  street,  between  Ninth  and 
Tenth  streets,  is  a  venerable  building.  Though  small  and  hipt-roof, 
it  is  more  than  a  hundred  years  old,  and  is  where  the  Presbyterian 
fathers  in  this  region  first  worshiped.  It  is  beautifully  situated,  and 
has  a  large  cemetei-y  enclosed  with  a  stone  wall,  where  the  dead  of 
two  centuries  lie. 

Many  ^vorthies  worshiped  the  God  of  their  fathers  in  this  relic  of 
antiquity.  Some  we  have  named  are  here  mouldering  into  dust.  We 
often  pass  this  spot  and  reflect  on  the  good  deeds  of  those  whom  we 
knew  and  loved  on  earth,  and  doubt  not  of  their  being  in  Heaven. 
"Therefore  are  they  before  the  throne  of  God,  and  serve  him  day  and 
night :  they  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more  ;  and  God 
shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes." 

Within  a  few  years  a  very  neat  edifice  has  been  erected,  called  the 
First  Pi'esbyterian  Church.  The  congregation  from  a  very  small  be- 
ginning has  rapidly  increased  to  a  respectable  number,  under  the 
charge  of  their  faithful  and  worthy  pastor,  Rev.  Stephen  R.  Wynkoop. 

Opposite,  on  the  west  side,  was  an  excellent  vegetable  garden,  at- 
tented  to  by  a  good  old  man,  M.  Campbell,  who  supplied  its  owner's 
table.  Gov.  D.,  and  served  the  market  for  his  own  benefit.  The  cabin 
adjoining  was  built  by  an  industrious  colored  woman,  who  lived  up- 
wai-ds  of  a  hundred  years,  Lydia  Hall.  She  had  two  sons  in  the 
army  of  the  Revolution ;  one  was  carried  off  by  the  enemy,  and  she 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  255 

knew  him  no  more.  She  was  honest  and  faithful  to  her  employers. 
Nothing  of  olden  days  claims  our  notice  beyond  this  spot  down  to  the 
Brandywine.  The  cornfields,  and  pasture  lots,  and  orchards,  are 
filled  up  with  fine  dwellings. 

An  old  dwelling  on  the  right,  fronting  the  bridge,  was  long  the 
residence  of  William  Canby,  and  it  bears  the  mark  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. A  Hessian  soldier,  striving  to  get  into  the  house,  made  a  dash 
at  Mrs.  Canby  with  his  sword,  and  cut  the  window  shutter,  which  was 
suffered  to  remain  as  a  relic  of  that  time.  In  her  alarm,  she  sprang 
out  of  the  window  and  escaped  to  the  mill. 


CHAPTEE  XXY. 

Front  street  west  of  Market — Eleazar  McComb,  Esq. — Francis  Way— Major 

Patten. 

On  the  south  side  of  Front  street,  there  was  a  frame  used  as  a 
workshop.  A  dock  faced  Shipley  street,  where  boats  landed  freight. 
Just  above  was  a  bridge  placed  over  a  stream,  and  in  wet  weather  the 
walk  was  nearly  impassable.  Mr.  McComb,  being  a  public-spirited 
man,  had  it  banked,  and  a  gravel  path  made  to  his  mansion. 

Next  house  was  the  residence  of  Francis  Way,  whose  ancestors 
were  respectable  members  of  Friends'  Society.  F.  Way  was  remark- 
ably neat  in  person  and  in  all  around  him.  His  grounds  and  garden 
were  kept  in  order  and  abounded  in  fruits.  He  married  late  in  life, 
and  was  peculiar  in  his  habits. 

One  dwelling  above  this  was  owned  by  Jonas  Canby.  who  was 
also  a  respectable  Friend.     The  house  is  now  a  hotel. 

On  the  north  side,  in  later  years,  a  frame  was  occupied  by  a  he- 
roine of  the  Revolution,  Bell  iMcCloskey,  by  wliom  many  a  soldier's 
wounds  were  bound  up,  and  it  has  been  alreaily  mentioned  of  her 
that  she  extracted  the  ball  from  General  Lafayette's  knee. 

The  two  good  dwellings  opi)osite  the  Runiford  house  were  erected 
by  Joseph   Springer   and    John    Milncr,  in    one  of  which   the    latter 


256  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington 

resided  for  years.     He  also  l)uilt  a  large  house  in  Market  above  Front 
street,  now  a  liotel.     He  too  was  a  respectable  Friend. 

Major  Patten,  an  officer  of  the  Revolution,  purchased  the  first 
house  named  of  Mr,  Milner,  and  resided  there  in  1798.  He  belonged 
to  the  brave  Delaware  regiment,  and  was  exposed  to  the  dangers  of 
many  a  battle.  At  Camder,  in  South  Carolina,  he  was  made  prisoner 
and  taken  to  Charleston. 

Previous  to  the  battle  he  sent  his  servant  with  his  baggage  to  a 
place  of  safety,  but  he  never  heard  of  either,  and  consequently  he 
was  marched  into  the  city  by  his  triumphant  victors  without  a  change 
of  raiment.  The  major  was  a  very  attractive  gentleman  in  personal 
appearance  and  manner.  The  ladies  were  compassionate,  and  many 
a  patriotic  one  had  fled  there  for  protection,  whose  sympathies  were 
awakened  by  his  destitution,  and  they  supplied  him  with  garments 
and  made  a  set  of  shirts.  He  was  treated  mildly,  and  occasionally 
mingled  in  society,  where  he  was  much  admired.  No  opportunity  of- 
fered for  an  exchange,  and  he  remained  a  prisoner  until  peace. 

As  stated  by  Mrs.  Judge  Bedford,  who  was  a  witness  to  the  return 
of  this  worthy  officer  to  his  native  town,  Dover,  he  appeared  without 
shoes  or  stockings.  An  old  pair  of  soles  were  tied  about  his  feet,  his 
clothes  were  worn  threadbare,  and  still  worse,  as  small  clothes  were 
the  fashion,  his  legs  were  entirely  bare.  This  portrays  the  situation 
of  many  a  poor  soldier's  return,  to  whom  "  the  powders  that  be"  are 
now  grudging  to  grant  a  pittance,  and  leave  them  to  pine  in  poverty. 

We  have  thus  paid  a  brief  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of 
Major  Patten's  public  services,  which  needed  no  comment ;  and  as  the 
valued  friend  of  a  beloved  parent  who  kneAV  him  well,  it  may  be  in 
place  here  to  note  that  the  excellence  of  his  private  character  was 
unrivaled. 

And  the  same  epithet  may  apply  to  his  estimable  daughter,  so  re- 
cently removed  in  premature  age,  from  her  sorrowing  family,  Mrs, 
Ann  Wales  we  knew  in  early  childhood,  and  in  every  state  of  her 
brief  life,  and  believe  we  can  truly  say  that  the  excellence  of  her  do- 
mestic character  was  uurivaled. 

A  singular  coincidence  we  will  note.  After  a  lapse  of  years,  a 
family  from  Charleston  were  boarding  in  this  town.  The  major  and 
lady  had  deceased ;  his  two  orphans  were  left  in  charge  of  his  worthy 
sister,  Mrs.  Brookes.  One  day,  in  passing  with  a  relative,  and  attired 
in  mourning,  the  elder  lady  inquired  w^hose  pretty  little  children  they 
were?     The  answer  was,  Major  Patten's, 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  2bl 

The  name  was  familiar  to  Mrs.  Logan,  and  turned  her  thoughts 
back  to  stirring  times.  She  exclaimed,  "  Can  they  be  the  offspring  of 
the  handsome  officer  for  whom  the  ladies  of  Charleston  so  diligently 
plied  the  needle  to  make  shirts,  and  I  was  one  of  their  number?" 
Verily,  this  was  the  person. 


OHAPTEE    XXYI. 

Shipley  Street— Win.  Jones— Up  Second  Street — Sheward's  Brewery— Tan  Yard 
— Z.  Ferris— Cold  Bath— In  Shipley  Street— Dr.  Nicholas  Way— Post  OflBce 
— Ziba  Ferris,  Sen.— The  Maid  of  Erin— A  Tale  of  Other  Days. 

The  northwest  corner  of  Shipley  street  was  the  residence  of  Wm. 
Jones,  and  it  is  pleasant  to  tell  that  his  son  is  the  owner,  who  also 
bears  his  father's  good  name.  Here  was  a  fine  garden,  kept  in  neat 
order,  and  adorned  by  many  a  beautiful  flower.  Even  after  the  street 
was  raised  and  the  garden  laid  low,  attractions  were  there.  The 
squares  almost  to  Third  Street  were  unimproved  still  later  years. 

Up  Second  street  but  two  objects  claim  our  notice.  Sheward's 
brewery  on  the  north  side,  of  ancient  date,  prospered  in  the  day  when 
malt  liquor  was  much  used.  Now  it  is  a  decayed  relic,  though  it  has 
long  survived  the  respectable  founder. 

On  the  north  side,  above  West  street,  Zachariah  Ferris,  an  accept- 
able minister  in  Friends'  Society,  owned  a  tan  yard  and  dwelling 
house.  His  son,  John  Ferris,  built  a  large  house  opposite  the  City 
Hall.  He  was  in  the  hardware  business,  from  which  he  retired,  and 
built  a  house  in  the  next  square,  where  he  died  in  old  age  much  re- 
spected.    He  left  a  handsome  estate,  but  no  children  to  inherit  it. 

There  was  a  noted  spoi  in  the  last  century  back  of  Ferris'  tan 
yard,  which  in  my  childhood  was  called  Dr.  Way's  bath.  The  water 
was  excessively  cold.  A  frame  building  of  goodly  size,  with  benches 
and  pins  for  clothing,  and  a  large  bath,  ])()ar(iod,  with  steps  to  descend 
into  the  water,  which  continually  flowed  in  with  an  outlet  nt  the  lower 
end.  This  was  a  great  resort  for  those  youths  of  that  day  who  could 
save  two  pennies  to  pay  the  woman  for  her  trouble. 
33 


258  Reminiscenceb  of  Wilmington. 

A  substantial  brick  dwelling  near  Third  street  was  long  the  resi- 
dence of  Griffith  Minshall.  A  very  handsome  garden  was  always  in 
good  order.     A  new  front  has  changed  its  appearance. 

Doctor  Nicholas  Way  erected  a  large  commodious  mansion  at  the 
southwest  corner  for  his  residence.  He  was  an  eminent  physician, 
and  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school.  His  popularity  was  unbounded. 
He  commenced  practice  in  1775,  and  associated  with  the  officers  of 
his  own  nation  and  with  the  foreigners,  also  with  other  distinguished 
men  of  his  day,  which  gave  him  notoriety  abroad,  and  drew  to  him 
many  students,  especially  from  South  Carolina.  As  a  practitioner, 
he  was  highly  prized  for  his  skill  and  affiible  manner. 

In  1793,  when  the  yellow  fever  first  appeared  in  Philadelphia, 
crowds  of  citizens  sought  an  asylum  here.  So  great  was  the  dread  of 
that  epidemic,  many  were  refused  admittance.  Doctor  Way  thought 
change  of  air  would  counteract  its  contagious  efl^ect ;  and  used  his  in- 
fluence by  interceding  for  their  reception.  Immediately  every  door 
was  open  and  houses  filled. 

In  the  prime  of  life  he  was  thrown  from  a  horse,  and  had  his  leg 
broken.  The  inconvenience  of  riding  induced  him  then  to  resign  his 
extensive  country  practice.  His  patients  were  unwilling  to  yield,  and 
this  was  so  perplexing  he  knew  not  how  to  limit  his  visits. 

He  therefore  came  to  the  conclusion  to  change  his  residence.  In 
the  autumn  of  '96,  he  went  to  PhiladeliDhia,  but  yet  so  undecided  as 
to  remaining  there  that  his  house  was  kept  open  till  the  following 
spring.  He  was  appointed  by  Gen.  Washington  President  of  the 
Mint.  In  his  domestic  character  Dr.  Way  was  a  gentleman  of  worth. 
He  never  married.  In  the  fall  of  1797,  he  fell  a  victim  to  the  yellow 
fever  in  Philadelphia,  and  no  one  was  more  deeply  lamented. 

His  house  was  purchased  by  Mons.  Hammond,  a  French  gentle- 
man, who  occupied  it  for  years,  and  sold  it  to  Jacob  Broom,  Esq.,  who 
resided  there  for  some  time.  It  is  the  present  residence  of  our  Senator, 
the  Hon.  John  Wales,  who,  with  his  worthy  family,  the  descendants 
of  Mrs.  Ann  Wales,  already  noticed  as  the  daughter  of  Major  Patten, 
have  been  long  our  particular  and  intimate  friends. 

At  the  northwest  corner  was  the  Post  Office,  for  near  twenty  years. 
Nicholas  G.  Williamson,  Esq.,  was  postmaster  during  that  time,  and 
he  was  also  elected  mayor  of  the  city.  At  his  decease,  he  left  a  widow 
and  many  daughters  to  mourn  the  departure  of  a  husband  and  father. 

The  old  hipt-roofed  dwelling  above  was  long  the  abode  of  Jane 
Farson,  a  Friend,  who  lived  and  died  here.     A  relic  of  other  days 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  259 

occupies  its  ancient  spot  in  this  garden.  A  white  rose  bush  has  bloomed 
annually  for  a  hundred  years,  and  still  flourishes  in  vigorous  beauty 
from  youth  to  old  age. 

The  southwest  corner  at  Fourth  street  was  owned  by  the  Richard- 
son family.  Those  two  were  fine  houses  in  that  day ;  with  a  large 
garden  kept  in  neat  order,  which  seemed  the  usual  appendage,  and 
this  one  was  of  the  first  class.  At  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  Joel 
Zane,  a  respectable  Friend,  kept  a  hardware  store  on  this  corner. 
Mrs.  Hester  Zane  was  a  most  worthy,  benevolent  woman.  One  of 
her  good  deeds  was  to  make  soup  daily  for  the  poor  French  soldiers 
when  quartered  in  town  during  the  Revolutionary  war. 

"  Come  ye  blessed  of  my  father."  "  I  was  a  stranger,  and  ye  took 
me  in." 

On  the  northeast  corner  of  Third  street,  the  ivy  that  clings  to  the 
wall  and  creeps  into  the  crevices  of  yon  old  mansion  is  an  emblem  of 
the  past,  and  reminds  one  of  the  family  of  by-gone  days.  Ziba  Ferris 
long  resided  here.  It  is  now  occupied  by  his  son,  who  bears  his 
name.  An  elder  brother,  whom  we  have  noted,  was  a  martyr  to  hu- 
manity in  1802. 

The  personal  appearance  and  winning  manner  of  Mrs.  Edith 
Ferris  were  lovely,  even  in  old  age ;  and  her  acts  of  mercy  were  fol- 
lowed up,  wherever  charity  claimed  her  attention,  in  giving  alms,  or 
in  visiting  the  widow  in  affliction,  or  soothing  the  child  of  sorrow. 
One  of  her  good  deeds  we  here  relate. 

On  the  approach  of  autumn,  the  day  was  cool  and  damp.  One 
came  to  Mrs.  Ferris,  and  said  a  stranger  in  affliction  was  her  neighbor. 
Ever  prompt  on  errands  of  mercy,  she  hastened  to  the  abode.  On 
entering,  the  interior  presented  an  impressive  scene.  The  absence  of 
many  comforts  was  apparent,  and  an  interesting  young  woman,  lin- 
gering on  the  borders  of  the  grave,  conscious  of  her  slow  and  sure 
decay. 

It  was  evident  she  had  seen  better  days,  and  had  mingled  in  re- 
fined society.  Unfitted  to  struggle  with  adversity,  or  yield  to  its  stern 
demands,  disease  was  progressing,  and  sadness  and  sorrow  beset  her 
passage  to  the  tomb.  Intense  anxiety  was  depicted  in  her  counte- 
nance ;  a  lovely  little  one  fondly  clung  to  her  arms,  and  seemed  to 
bow  down  her  feeble  frame  with  maternal  grief  The  family  con- 
sisted of  three  foreigners,  just  arrived,  with  limited  means,  in  hopes 
to  improve  their  fortune  in  America. 

The  young  man,  as  a  husband  and  father,  was  much  perplexed. 


260  Reminiscences  of  Wilminoton. 

He  deemed  it  important  immediately  to  pursue  some  business  for  his 
livelihood,  and  his  wife's  delicate  health  forbade  his  absence  to  seek 
or  engage  in  lucrative  employment.  The  sympathies  of  one  so 
kindly  disposed  as  Mrs.  Ferris  were  aroused,  and  it  was  a  touching 
event. 

On  another  visit,  she  advised  the  young  man  to  accept  an  offer  that 
would  secure  the  means  to  sustain  his  family,  assuring  him  that  she 
would  attend  to  his  wife's  comforts,  and  take  charge  of  the  little  girl 
in  his  absence. 

Such  unexpected  benevolence  in  a  stranger  overpowered  them 
with  gratitude,  and  seemed  the  dawn  of  a  brighter  day  in  their  cheer- 
less abode.  With  the  most  assiduous  attention,  the  duty  was  fulfilled 
by  this  good  Samaritan.  No  omission  chilled  the  warm  affection  en- 
kindled iu  the  heart  of  one  far  from  relatives  and  native  land.  It 
burned  more  brightly,  and  was  most  ardent,  when  the  shadow  of 
death  was  over  her,  whispering  to  the  senses,  "  Behold  thy  days  ap- 
proach, that  thou  must  die." 

She  again  requested  this  kind  friend  to  take  the  little  one  and 
train  her  in  virtuous  ways.  To  her  fostering  care  she  could  resign 
her  earthly  treasure,  and  leave  the  fleeting  world  without  a  sigh.  In 
a  moment,  her  spirit  fled  from  earthly  scenes. 

The  father  was  desirous  to  have  the  care  of  his  child,  and  kept 
her  for  a  short  time.  He  was  a  gentleman,  unacquainted  with  labor, 
and  entered  upon  farming,  but  was  unsuccessful.  Then  he  requested 
Mrs.  Ferris  to  take  charge  of  his  little  girl.  This  lady  replied  that 
her  plain  habits  and  domestic  employments  would  not  accord  with  his 
views,  but  to  these  he  freely  assented,  and' she  received  the  child  as 
her  own. 

His  wife's  relatives  were  indignant  at  the  resolve  to  come  to  this 
country,  and  vowed  to  know  her  no  more.  Yet  a  rich  maiden  aunt 
did  adopt  their  only  son  ere  they  sailed,  and  spared  no  expense  on  his 
education  at  home,  nor  in  France,  whither  he  went  for  three  years  to 
complete  his  studies. 

We  now  leave  the  little  girl  in  kind  hands,  to  pass  on  to  her  teens, 
and  pause  ere  we  draw  near  the  pith  of  our  story.  When  she  had 
become  inwardly  and  outwardly  as  decided  a  Friend  as  ever  ascended 
yon  hill,  to  her  this  mansion  was  a  little  world.  Its  inmates  were  the 
objects  of  her  affection.  Here  all  her  pleasures  and  cares  were  cen- 
tred. Beyond  the  precincts  she  had  little  concern,  for  she  was  a 
stranger  to  the  endearing  ties  of  kindred,  and  was  gliding  so  smoothly 


Reminiscences  op  Wilmington.  261 

down  the  stream  of  time,  thus  far,  that  the  first  moving  of  the  waters 
ruffled  the  even  tenor  of  her  way  on  entering  her  eighteenth  year. 

This  rich  aunt — her  mother  was  of  a  noble  family,  Miss  Stevens, 
of  Stevens'  Green,  in  Dublin — had  heard  of  her  niece,  and  solicited 
an  introduction  to  Captain  Geddes,  of  "Wilmington,  then  in  that  city. 
To  him  she  communicated  her  intention  to  receive  this  relative  into 
the  bosom  of  her  family,  and  make  ample  provision  for  her  future 
support,  and  empowered  the  Captain  to  furnish  funds,  and  bring  her 
across  the  ocean  under  his  protection. 

On  his  arrival  home,  the  Captain  had  an  interview  with  Mrs.  Fer- 
ris, who  communicated  the  intelligence  to  the  young  lady,  Deborah 
Jones.  The  unlooked  for  kindness  surprised  her,  but  did  not  enkindle 
in  her  bosom  any  ambitious  views.  Being  happy  in  her  home,  she 
was  therewith  content.  Yet,  on  listening  to  the  story,  it  agitated  her 
calm  spirit.  She  knew  not  how  to  express  gratitude  to  her  kind  aunt, 
accompanied  by  the  refusal  of  such  an  offer,  which  she  felt  no  desire 
to  accept. 

Not  so  with  Mrs.  Ferris,  ever  anxious  to  promote  the  welfare  of 
the  little  stranger,  whom  she  had  taken  in  tender  age,  and  led  on,  by 
careful  steps,  to  years  of  discretion,  and  now  so  worthy,  and  striving 
to  make  ample  returns  for  all  her  solicitude  in  childhood  by  affection 
and  usefulness.  Besides,  her  services  in  the  family  were  important, 
and  their  attachment  was  reciprocal,  and  the  parting  would  be  painful. 
With  deep  feeling,  her  benefactress  urged  her  to  accept  the  advan- 
tageous proposal.  Being  trained  by  the  rule  of  obedience,  to  yield  to 
the  counsel  of  one  in  whom  she  had  the  most  implicit  confidence,  she 
acquiesced,  and  prepared  for  the  voyage. 

In  arranging  her  outfit,  Mr.  Ferris  thought  it  expedient  to  make 
her  dresses  a  little  more  in  fashion,  to  better  suit  her  aunt's  taste,  and 
not  to  deviate  from  Friends.  But  D.  was  conscientiously  opposed  to 
any  innovation  in  the  old  path.  So  her  garb  was  of  the  plainest  order. 
The  separation  was  a  trying  scene — to  bid  a  final  farewell  to  beloved 
friends  and  a  youthful  home. 

About  1789,  the  heroine  of  our  story  was  escorted  to  New  Castle 
by  Governor  Dickinson ;  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Ferris,  and  herself  in 
Gov.  D.'s  carriage ;  Mr.  Ferris  and  children  in  another ;  Mr.  Wright 
and  daughter,  relatives  of  Gov.  D.,  in  their  coach.  Capt.  Geddes  sent 
his  long  boat  to  take  them  all  on  board,  where  they  bid  adieu,  and 
sailed  with  a  fair  breeze  to  the  Emerald  Isle. 

Their  prosperous  voyage,  arrival,  and  reception  at  Stevens'  Green, 
33* 


262  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

were  stated  to  the  writer  by  Capt.  Geddes.  Favorable  winds  wafted 
them  speedily  o'er  the  ocean.  D.  was  a  stranger  to  sea  sickness,  and, 
though  so  sad  at  leaving  her  friends,  not  a  murmur  escaped,  nor  was 
a  frown  seen  on  her  brow,  neither  did  she  spend  time  to  bemoan  her 
departure.     She  was  endowed  with  a  mind  of  a  high  order. 

The  cabin  arrangements  were  under  her  care,  and  order  and  neat- 
ness presided.  Excellent  desserts  were  provided  for  dinner  every  day. 
Not  a  button  hung  loose  on  a  coat,  nor  was  one  wanting  from  the  cabin 
to  the  caboose ;  neither  did  a  stocking  want  a  stitch.  Every  sailor 
was  an  object  of  her  care,  and  his  comfort  regarded. 

These  little  favors  and  attentions  kept  the  ship's  crew  in  perfect 
good  humor  from  land  to  land.  Besides  fitting  up  garments  and  nice 
cookery,  she  was  often  employed  in  reading  useful  books  to  the  sailors. 

At  length  the  eventful  day  was  ushered  in  by  a  delightful  morning, 
and  the  ship  safe  at  her  mooring  in  Dublin  harbor. 

An  express  was  sent  to  inform  the  aunt  of  her  arrival,  and  in  their 
best  dress  they  waited  an  answer.  A  coach  and  four  splendid  horses 
drove  up.  A  man  in  superb  livery  handed  the  captain  a  note,  as  they 
stepped  into  this  fine  carriage.  D.'s  heart  went  pit-a-pat,  and,  with 
her  head  bowed  down,  they  drove  through  Dublin.  The  captain  bid 
her  cheer  up  to  meet  the  lady  patroness. 

They  alighted  at  the  door  of  an  elegant  mansion,  and  entered  the 
reception  room,  where  they  were  greeted  with  a  cordial  welcome  by 
the  noble  aunt,  and  met  by  the  brother,  who  had  just  arrived  from 
Paris,  with  all  the  airs  and  graces  of  a  French  fop.  The  aunt  was 
an  elegant,  dignified  Irish  lady,  richly  dressed ;  the  niece  in  the  sim- 
lest  garb  of  an  American  Quakeress  of  the  plainest  order.  No  three 
persons  from  either  quarter  of  the  globe  could  come  in  contact  to 
form  a  more  striking  contrast. 

The  scene  was  so  novel  every  one  seemed  to  lose  the  power  of 
speech,  and  sat  gazing  at  each  other  astounded,  in  solemn  silence ;  while 
the  captain  had  to  exert  his  powers  to  restrain  his  risible  faculties.  If 
the  countenance  was  an  index  of  the  mind,  and  could  be  read,  each 
one  queried.  Do  kindred  ties  unite  us  ? — and  does  the  same  blood  flow 
in  our  veins  ? — or  can  any  sympathy  exist  between  us  ? 

The  aunt  was  evidently  disappointed  both  in  nephew  and  niece. 
When  the  shock  had  subsided,  and  conversation  resumed,  the  voyage 
was  the  topic ;  and  occasionally  the  niece  was  addressed,  who  faintly 
answered  "  Yes !"  or,  "  No !"  The  aunt  was  so  anxious  to  draw  her 
out  that  she  observed  the  sight  of  land  must  be  cheering  after  passing 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  263 

weeks  on  sea!  "Yes!"  again.  To  bring  out  a  sentence,  she  asked  her, 
"  What  day  did  you  make  land  ?"  "  Last  First  day !"  The  aunt 
amazed,  softly  repeated,  "  Last  First  day?"  Turning  to  the  captain, 
she  said,  "Pray  sir,  tell  me  what  day  is  that?"  This  was  about  the 
amount  of  the  introductory  visit. 

On  taking  leave,  the  captain  observed  his  young  companion  shed 
tears.  The  hostess  noticed  it,  and  most  politely  invited  him  to  par- 
take of  the  hospitalities  of  her  mansion,  whenever  it  suited  his  con- 
venience. . 

To  cheer  the  stranger  in  her  new  home,  he  often  spent  an  hour 
there,  and  was  always  made  welcome  by  the  aunt.  As  he  became 
more  familiar,  he  ventured  to  give  a  few  hints  uf  the  manners  and 
doings  in  this  town,  "  where,"  he  said,  "  females  usually  attended  to 
domestic  duties,  and  her  niece  being  brought  up  in  a  plain  Friend's 
family,  whose  daughters  were  conscientiously  instructed  in  household 
affairs,  he  had  no  doubt  that  she  would  be  much  happier  to  be 
employed,  and  better  reconciled  to  the  change." 

The  aunt  thought  the  hint  good,  at  once  proposed  to  her  to  feel 
herself  at  home,  and  take  an  interest  in  the  family. 

This  was  most  agreeable  to  one  used  to  every-day  duties.  The 
captain  said,  "  Not  much  pains  had  been  taken  there  in  little  matters, 
such  as  washing  windows ;  the  glass  was  usually  pretty  well  dimmed, 
and  the  absence  of  neatness  was  annoying  to  one  so  accustomed  to  or- 
der." Therefore,  she  immediately  commenced  ablutions.  By  inducing 
a  servant  to  rise  at  morning  dawn,  they  cleaned  the  paints,  washed  win- 
dows and  floor  of  the  breakfast-room,  and  set  all  things  in  order  before 
the  lady  entered. 

This  extreme  neatness  delighted  her.  The  windows  were  so  clear 
she  thought  the  glass  new,  and  the  transition  was  sudden,  like  magic 
— all  was  done  in  a  few  hours.  But  when  she  found  tliat  her  niece  had 
taken  a  very  active  part,  her  dignity  was  touched,  and  shi'  liastily 
exclaimed,  "Do  you  suppose  I  brought  you  to  Dublin  lor  such  menial 
services?  Are  there  not  servants  in  my  house  to  do  all  you  command 
them?" 

D.  modestly  replied,  "  Active  employment  best  suited  her  turn  of 
mind."  In  fact,  she  could  not  live  so  listless.  If  her  aunt  could 
condescend  to  allow  her  to  take  a  part  in  domestic  duties,  it  would  add 
much  to  contentment  in  her  new  sphere  of  life.  But  she  was  willing 
to  submit  to  her  decision.  This  calm  submission  to  her  aunt's  pleasure 
was    conclusive.     The   aristocratic  lady  yielded    to   the  Yankee  no- 


264  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

tions  of  her  republican  niece,  and  confidence  and  good  feeling  were 
reciprocated. 

An  elegant  wardrobe  was  ordered  for  the  niece,  which  caused  some 
altercation.  The  primitive  one  was  wedded  to  her  simple  garb,  and 
scrupulously  rejected  to  adorn  her  person  by  dress.  Though  so  di.s- 
similar  in  opinions  and  taste,  years  glided  on  in  great  harmony,  each 
being  blest  with  good  temper  and  kind  feelings. 

This  lady's  business  concerns  were  extensive,  and  a  young  man  was 
often  employed,  in  whom  she  placed  full  confidence,  as  he  was  faithful 
to  his  trust.  He  too  was  a  member  of  Friend's  Society,  and  on 
business  visits  sought  an  opportunity  to  converse  ^vith  D.,  whose 
religious  views  accorded  with  his  own.  These  interviews  were  pleas- 
ing to  one  who  seemed  to  be  cut  off  from  associates,  holding  her  own 
principles,  and  they  became  mutually  interested  in  each  other. 

But  he  feared  to  make  further  advance,  lest  it  would  displease  the 
lady  patroness.  At  length  he  ventured  to  introduce  the  subject.  The 
aunt  respectfully  listened  to  the  proposal,  but  her  manner  was  repul- 
sive, and  it  was  evident  did  not  accord  with  her  designs,  who  had 
anticipated  a  more  honorable  alliance  for  her  niece. 

However,  upon  reflecting  that  she  was  a  plain,  unpretending  girl, 
with  no  great  personal  attractions,  she  felt  that  such  pretensions  were 
delusive,  and  to  this  young  man  she  could  make  no  reasonable  objec- 
tion. His  moral  character  she  highly  appreciated,  and  there  was  a 
congeniality  in  their  persons  which  promised  a  happy  union  ;  and  she 
reasoned  away  her  more  aspiring  hopes,  and  sanctioned  this  marriage. 

They  adopted  the  name  of  Stevens,  and  it  was  solemnized  in 
troublous  times,  in  the  day  of  Emmet  and  Rowan,  and  others  of  the 
"  United  Men,"  so  that  Dublin  was  the  theatre  of  discord,  and  it  was 
most  prudent  to  withdraw  to  a  less  populous  place.  Wexford  became 
their  residence.  Here  the  aunt  purchased  a  house,  and  fitted  out  her 
niece  with  every  comfort,  and  their  prospects  daily  brightened. 

On  a  visit  of  her  husband  to  Dublin,  a  person  whom  he  knew 
begged  the  favor  of  him  to  deliver  a  letter  to  a  friend.  He  was  not 
aware  it  was  addressed  to  a  "  United  Man." 

The  police  were  vigilant  in  examining  all  who  entered  the  city, 
and  said  this  letter  contained  treasonable  expressions  enough  to  con- 
demn him.  He  pleaded  ignorance  of  the  contents,  which  availed 
nothing.  He  was  dragged  to  prison,  and  treated  with  all  the  rigor.of 
a  traitor,  and  denied  the  privilege  of  conversing  with  visitors. 

In  the  mean  time  his  wife  anxiously  looked  for  his  return.     As 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  265 

weeks  elapsed,  and  no  intelligence  arrived,  her  distress  was  intense. 
It  was  concluded  be  had  been  murdered  on  the  way  It  was, 
alas !  the  too  common  fate  of  travelers  passing  conflicting  parties. 
Her  aunt  decided  it  best  to  break  up  her  establishment,  and  return  to 
to  the  home  she  had  left. 

During  this  extreme  distress  at  home  he  was  closely  confined  in 
the  most  rigorous  manner,  and  pining  away  under  disease.  His  keeper 
seemed  to  i:)ity  his  case,  and  a  way  opened  for  him  to  whisper  in  his 
ear  where  the  aunt  lived,  and  to  intreat  him  to  make  known  his  piti- 
able condition.  The  man  was  trustworthy,  and  conveyed  the  tidings, 
but  in  so  hurried  a  manner  that  it  seemed  improbable.      The  servant 

said  a  rough-looking  man  told  him  Mr. was  in  prison,  and  the 

number  of  his  ward,  and  quickly  he  was  gone. 

Though  it  might  not  be  the  truth,  the  kind  aunt  did  not  delay  to 
visit  the  prison.  Being  a  loyalist,  she  gained  access,  and  wa.s  shocked 
to  find  him  such  an  object  of  compassion.  By  perseverance,  she 
obtained  leave  for  him  to  visit  her  once  a  week  for  a  few  hours,  on 
her  own  responsibility  to  see  him  safe  back.  On  one  of  these 
visits  his  escape  was  planned.  The  aunt  gave  hira  a  silver  basket, 
under  the  pretence  of  getting  some  confectionery  for  her  a  few  doors 
below ;  and  he  was  borne  away  by  men  in  disguise  to  a  ship  ready  to 
sail  for  America.  His  wife  had  prepared  to  depart  with  him.  They 
arrived  safe  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  soon  died  with  a  disease  con- 
tracted in  prison.  On  the  news  of  his  death,  the  aunt  wished  her  to 
return.     But  she  said   nothing  could  induce  her  to  recross  the  ocean. 

Years  winged  away,  and  D.  engaged  once  more  in  married  life. 
Though  no  such  disasters  befell  her,  there  was  cause  for  unhapj)i- 
ness,  and  after  a  lingering  disease,  she  died,  and  left  two  daughters, 
one  of  whom  was  brought  up  by  the  friend  of  Mrs.  Ferris.  They  were 
very  respectable,  worthy  women.  The  youngest,  contrary  to  the 
advice  of  friends,  nuide  an  adventurous  voyage  to  a  land  of  strangers, 
and  is  at  present  in  China. 


34 


OHAPTEE    XXYII. 

School— Henry  Pepper — Wm.  Cobbett— St.  Andrew's  Church — Billy  McDoiigall 
— Dr.  Gibbons — College — M.  Bradford — Woman  in  a  "Well — John  Bull — 
Boarding  School — Caleb  Seal — St.  Peter's  Church — Sisters  of  Charity — 
Friends'  Meeting  House — Cemetery — School. 

In  olden  days,  the  north  corner  was  M.  Andrew's  printing  office. 
His  son  edited  a  paper ;  then  James  Wilson,  his  son-in-law.  It  was 
for  years  the  only  Democratic  paper  in  the  State. 

Nathaniel  Richards,  who  long  occupied  this  house,  died  recently 
in  the  93d  year  of  his  age.  These  persons  were  respectable  members 
of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

Edward  Hughes  lived  near.  He  had  a  worthy  family,  and  was 
long  a  clerk  in  the  Bank  of  Delaware.  He  and  his  wife  died  in  old 
age.  They  and  most  families  who  resided  in  Shipley  street  were  of 
the  Friends'  Society. 

An  old  fabric  on  the  east  side,  yet  standing,  where  most  of  the 
respectable  children  of  suitable  age  were  in  part  educated,  will  be 
long  remembered.  The  teacher,  Henry  Pepper,  was  a  graduate  of 
Dublin  College,  a  teacher  of  languages,  and  a  proficient  in  French, 
which  was  deemed  so  essential  when  the  town  was  teeming  with  emi- 
grants. Besides,  it  was  so  genteel  to  say  you  were  learning  French,  if 
only  a  few  monosyllables  were  acquired — to  say  "  Parlez  vous  fran- 
cais?"  and  this  was  about  the  amount  that  many  did  learn.  Yet 
there  were  a  few  hard  students  who  had  much  knowledge  of  the  lan- 
guage, obtained  from  books. 

A  number  of  French  gentleman  came  to  take  lessons  in  English. 
For  a  few  hours  each  day  they  occupied  a  room.  Many  amusing  inci- 
dents occurred  between  the  scholars  in  exercising  their  skill  to  speak 
a  strange  language. 

Mrs.  Pepper  was  young,  sprightly,  and  very  handsome'  in  those 
days,  and  she  was  dearly  beloved  by  all  his  scholars.  In  the  spring 
of  1797,  Mr.  P.  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  his  prospects  bright- 
ened. But  in  the  autumn  he  fell  a  victim  to  the  yellow  fever,  leaving 
a  widow  and  four  small  children  to  depend  on  her  own  exertions. 
"  As  God  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb,"  under  his  providential 

866 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  267 

care  he  raised  up  for  the  destitute  widow  a  most  benevolent  friend  in 
E.  J,  Dupont,  Esq. 

In  our  school  days,  a  stranger  of  some  notoriety  resided  on  Quaker 
Hill,  in  the  house  afterwards  owned  by  Col.  McLane.  This  was  Wil- 
liam Cobbett,  an  Englishman,  who  became  afterward  so  celebrated  as  a 
writer,  both  in  America  and  in  England.  He  was  a  teacher  of  French 
here  for  some  time,  and  an  eminent  scholar.  He  pul)lis]ied  a  gram- 
mar of  the  French  language,  which  was  highly  approved.  His  own 
history  was  as  follows  : — 

Once  a  common  soldier  in  the  British  army  in  the  East  Indies,  at 
a  pay  of  sixpence  per  day,  he  managed  to  procure  elementary  books, 
and  studied  nearly  the  whole  night.  His  thirst  for  learning  was  so 
ardent  that  he  never  lost  a  moment,  and  he  thus  advanced  himself  to 
pre-eminence  in  the  language.  He  came  to  America  about  the  year 
1794,  and  resided  at  Wilmington.  He  often  assisted  Mr.  Pepper  in 
teaching,  as  he  had  several  large  classes.  Some  of  those  gentlemen 
were  distinguished  scholars,  from  whom  he  gained  much  knowledge 
of  the  sciences,  and  they  were  his  friends  in  a  pecuniary  way. 

He  gave  the  credit  of  being  initiated  in  political  debates  to  this 
town.  Said,  "he  had  lived  in  the  hotbed  of  Democracy."  On  Quaker 
Hill,  amid  the  Stars,  whose  political  horizon  was  so  brilliant,  he 
scarcely  dare  defend  royalty. 

Hence  he  removed  to  Philadelphia  in  1796,  opened  a  book  store, 
and  became  notorious  in  public  life.  About  to  publish  a  paper,  he 
enlisted  Mr.  Pepper's  services  by  a  great  offer  to  write  for  it.  He  re- 
signed a  flourishing  school  to  engage  with  Cobbett.  Being  struck  by 
the  name  of  his  gazette,  he  inquired  why  lie  called  it  The  Porcupine. 
He  answered,  because  he  meant  to  shoot  his  quills  wherever  he  could 
catch  game. 

Mr.  P.  soon  discovered  a  want  of  jirinciple  in  it,  and  withdrew,  for 
those  who  had  been  his  best  friends  in  his  poverty  were  the  first  at- 
tacked. Wra.  Cobbett's  political  career  is  well  known — it  ended  in 
his  being  a  member  of  the  British  House  of  Commons. 

The  northwest  corner  of  Sixth  street  was  the  residence  of  Miss  S. 
Hanson,  an  estimable  lady,  and  celebrated  for  the  excellent  govern- 
ment of  misses.  Many  from  distant  places  were  placed  and  educated 
under  her  care.  In  this  house  an  adventure  of  the  Revolution  has 
already  been  related,  in  which  Miss  Hanson  was  a  participant. 

St.  Andrew's  Church,  (Episcopal,)  southwest  corner  of  Eighth 
street,  was  erected  in   1829,  by  a  minority  of  the  congregation  ol' 


268  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Trinity,  Old  Swedes'  Church.     In  a  few  years  it  inherited  a  large 
legacy  by  will  from  the  estate  of  Mrs.  Mary  James. 

In  the  midst  of  prosperity,  a  calamitous  conflagration  consumed 
the  interior,  destroyed  the  bell,  and  rendered  the  walls  irreparable. 
But  the  energetic  measures  of  the  members  surmounted  this  disaster, 
and  reared  a  larger  and  more  complete  edifice.  Recently  the  exterior 
has  been  much  improved.  The  church  is  in  good  condition,  and  has 
ever  sustained  a  flourishing  Sunday  School.  It  is  at  present  under 
the  pastoral  charge  of  our  excellent  Bishop,  Alfred  Lee. 

Delaware  Avenue. — On  the  northeast  corner  of  Orange  street  is  a 
foundry,  established  some  years  ago  by  James  Rice,  with  machine 
shops  in  operation.  This  family  are  old  inhabitants,  and  are  deserving 
people. 

In  years  gone  by,  the  southeast  corner  of  Tatnall  street  was  of  some 
notoriety.  A  large  pond,  from  time  immemorial,  w^as  in  possession  of 
the  bull-frog  tribe,  and  it  seemed  their  lawful  inheritance.  Mischievous 
boys  now  and  then  would  disturb  their  repose  as  they  popped  their 
heads  ovit  of  the  muddy  water. 

But  when  "  Les  Messieurs"  became  residents  here,  even  the  vil- 
lagers learned  to  cook  them  into  a  savory  dish,  and  a  price  was  offered 
for  their  legs,  which  induced  young  anglers  to  invade  the  premises 
with  hook  and  line,  and  capture  many  noble  fellows.  Yet  they  were 
prosperous,  and  had  a  numerous  progeny ;  and,  when  spring  put  forth 
its  blossoms,  they  tuned  their  pipes — and  such  a  merry  clan  greeted 
the  whole  vicinity  in  evening  concerts ! 

On  the  verge  of  this  pond  was  the  noted  Bull-Frog  Tavern,  not 
forgotten  by  the  children  of  that  day.  A  lonely  old  man  cut  timber 
from  Mr.  Shallcross's  woods,  and  put  up  a  shantee.  Though  harmless, 
he  was  a  terror  to  the  young  folks,  because  he  was  intemperate  and 
unsightly.  He  was  like  the  man  of  "  the  house  that  Jack  built," ' 
"  all  tattered  and  torn,"  and,  like  "  the  maiden,  all  forlorn."  But, 
unlike  the  priest,  he  was  never  "shaven  or  shorn."  Some  waggish 
boys  painted  or  caricatured  an  enormous  frog  on  a  board,  and  nailed 
it  on  the  side  of  his  shantee,  lettered  under — "  The  Bull-Frog  Tavern, 
kept  by  Billy  McDougall,  but  no  entertainment  within  or  without 
for  man  or  beast." 

The  large  mansion  on  the  south  side  of  this  avenue  was  erected 
more  than  thirty  years  ago  by  the  late  Dr.  Wm.  Gibbons,  and  is  the 
residence  of  his  family.  The  doctor  was  a  prominent  citizen,  eminent 
in  his  profession.     He  was  likewise  distinguished  for  his  literary  at- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  269 

tainments,  and  deemed  an  instructive  and  agreeable  companion. 
Thoiigli  in  the  decline  of  life,  his  faculties  were  in  full  vigor;  and, 
ere  he  was  overtaken  by  the  infirmities  of  age,  death  entered  his 
chamber,  and  the  spirit  fled  to  happier  regions.  The  doctor  left  a 
large  family,  and  many  sympathizing  friends  to  mourn  his  loss. 

Those  extensive  buildings  adjoining  are  a  Roman  Catholic  College, 
of  considerable  notoriety,  under  the  direction  of  Priest  Reilley,  who 
sustains  the  character  of  a  worthy  man,  and  of  a  competent  instruc- 
tor. A  number  of  pupils  and  students  from  a  distance  are  placed 
under  his  guidance. 

The  premises  on  the  east  of  the  college,  with  the  ancient  hipped- 
roof  tenements,  was  owned  and  occupied,  in  olden  times,  by  John 
Hedges,  Sr.,  whose  family  were  of  Swedish  descent,  and  his  descend- 
ants are  still  here  to  witness  the  changes  from  early  days. 

The  very  handsome  new  stone  mansion  on  the  north  side  was 
erected  by  Moses  Bradford,  Esq.,  but  a  few  years  ago,  and  the  spot 
was  suddenly  transformed  from  a  rugged  cornfield  to  cultivated 
grounds,  with  a  large  house,  an  ornamented  lawn  with  trees  and 
shrubbery,  and  a  flourishing  garden.  It  seemed  as  if  all  was  done  l)v 
magic. 

To  Mrs.  Phebe  Bradford's  fostering  care  much  was  due.  Her  taste 
in  arranging  trees  and  shrubbery,  fondness  for  flowers,  and  perseve- 
rance to  accomplish  her  designs,  seldom  failed  to  succeed.  But,  alas ! 
like  "the grass  that  groweth  up  and  flourisheth  in  the  morning,  in  the 
evening  is  cut  down  and  withereth,"  so  in  the  midst  of  her  labors 
"  her  sun  went  down  at  noon,"  leaving  her  family  and  friends  to  la- 
ment the  mysterious  providence.  Many  with  whom  she  was  associated 
in  religious  and  benevolent  societies  will  long  feel  her  loss. 

Trinity  Church  may  truly  lament  a  most  efficient  member.  We 
look  up  to  the  choir,  for  "  lo  !  thou  wert  unto  them  as  a  very  lovely 
song,  of  one  that  hath  a  very  pleasant  voice,  ami  can  play  well  on  an 
instrument."  We  look  around  and  see  few  to  fill  her  place,  and  fewer 
who  have  the  courage  to  encountei-  the  lion  in  the  path  of  duty. 

"  'Tis  sweet  to  remcinher  :  I  would  not  forego 
The  charm  wliicli  the  ]iast  o'er  the  present  can  throw. 
When  ill  cahn  reminiscence  we  sxathcr  the  (lowers 
Strewn  around  us  by  friendship  in  liappier  iiours. 
I  would  not  forget,  though  my  thougiits  siioulil  he  dark. 
O'er  tiie  ocean  of  life,  I  look  hack  from  my  hark, 
And  see  the  lost  Rlen,  where  once  I  was  blest, 
A  type  and  a  promise  of  heavenly  rest." 
34* 


270  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

On  the  south  side,  between  Shipley  aiul  Orange  streets,  yet  stands 
an  ohl  stone  fabric  built  by  a  worthy  Swede,  Andrew  Vanneman, 
whose  family  lived  there  for  years.  In  this  yard  is  a  very  deep  well, 
out  of  which  a  woman  was  miraculously  rescued  more  than  thirty 
years  ago.  On  a  stormy  night,  the  wind  blew  almost  a  hurricance, 
when  a  man  came  in  who  had  business  with  her  husband,  and  he  had 
not  returned  from  his  work. 

She  invited  this  man  to  wait  till  he  came,  and  partake  of  their 
supper.  She  then  left  him  to  prepare  it,  and,  in  drawing  a  bucket  of 
water,  the  windlass  gave  way  and  threw  her  into  the  well.  The  rat- 
tling of  wind  prevented  her  screams  from  being  heard ;  but  her  long 
absence  induced  the  man  to  look  for  her.  He  found  that  she  was  in . 
the  well,  and  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  extricate  her.  In  terror  he 
ran  to  the  Cross  Keys  Tavern  for  help.  Men  came  with  ropes,  and 
tore  the  sheets  from  the  bed,  by  which  they  drcAV  her  up,  almost  lifeless 
and  excessively  bruised,  having  been  in  near  three-quarters  of  an 
hour.  In  a  few  weeks  she  recovered,  and  acknowledged  a  special 
Providence  in  her  wonderful  deliverance. 

Orange  street. — Orange  street,  though  of  ancient  date,  affords  but 
little  to  tell.  On  the  southwest  corner  of  Eighth  street  is  a  foundry 
of  some  note,  established  by  Betts  &  Stotsenburg,  men  well  known 
and  esteemed  for  their  enterprise,  fair  dealing,  and  integrity  of  char- 
acter. 

Having  legends  to  narrate  in  other  streets,  we  regret  to  pass  this 
old  trodden  way  in  silence ;  yet  we  must  confess  it  is  without  much 
incident.  But  a  building  un  the  west  side  may  excite  surprise,  and 
we  will  tell  you  an  achievement  of  a  descendant  of  John  Bull. 

The  time  of  which  we  speak  was  somewhere  about  the  last  contest 
with  Great  Britain,  when  an  Englishman  and  his  family  arrived  here. 
He  was  of  so  goodly  a  size,  one  might  suppose  he  had  fed  well  on  the 
underdone  roast  beef  of  old  England.  A  ruddy  and  demure  aspect 
comported  with  his  steady  habit.  He  used  the  plain  language,  and 
in  a  simple  garb  attended  Friends'  religious  meetings.  By  industry 
and  attention  he  won  the  good  opinion  of  his  neighbors,  and  it  was 
noised  abroad  he  had  funds,  and  intended  to  establish  a  malt  concern 
on  an  extensive  scale.  "  Verily,"  said  they,  "  he  is  a  man  of  business 
powers,  and  will  astonish  the  natives." 

Well,  this  lot  was  purchased,  and  the  odd  fabric  erected  for  a  malt 
house,  one  end  of  which  was  fitted  up  for  his  abode.  In  the  meantime, 
he  sought  employment,  was  a  good  penman  ;  drew  up  instruments  of 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  271 

writing  very  satisfactorily,  aud  boasted  of  his  tact  in  collecting  moneys, 
and  even  was  ready  for  an  agency. 

In  this  too  he  was  energetic,  and  had  wonderful  success.  But  the 
winding  up  of  his  aflfliirs  it  is  hard  to  credit. 

The  contest  alluded  to  was  ended.  The  Yankees  were  successful 
and  triumphant.  He  too  had  seen  in  this  little  town,  night  after 
night,  brilliant  illuminations  for  victories  by  sea  and  victories  by  land, 
and  you  will  scarcely  believe,  in  the  face  of  all  this,  an  apparently 
inoffensive  man  unarmed  would  dare  attempt  to  outwit  those  whom 
his  powerful  and  brave  nation,  with  sword  in  hand,  had  just  failed  to 
conquer.  Yes,  with  his  own  hand  did  he  filch  Yankee  pockets  to  fill 
his  own,  and  make  a  quick  trip  to  enter  Canada  victorious,  and  left 
some  to  bemoan  their  credulity  in  preferring  an  unknown  to  a  com- 
petent and  worthy  neighbor.  Verily,  Joseph  Reed's  audacity  did 
"  astonish  the  natives." 

In  olden  times,  William  Shipley  erected  a  fine  mansion  N.  W.  cor- 
ner of  Fourth  street,  which  will  pass  for  a  good  dwelling  at  this  day. 
On  the  S.  W.  corner  was  one  of  the  first  brick  houses — but  it  was  then 
I)uilt  in  the  Village  of  Willingstown,  and  before  the  name  was  changed 
to  its  present  one  in  honor  of  the  Earl  of  Wilmington — the  same 
nobleman  in  England  to  whom  Thompson  the  poet  of  the  Seasons  has 
dedicated  his  Address  to  Winter. 

Tatnall  street. — On  the  southeast  corner  of  Delaware  avenue  and 
this  street  was  the  bull-frog  pond — on  the  west  side  was  a  boarding- 
school  for  boys,  established  by  John  Bullock,  a  Friend.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bullock  Avere  worthy  people,  eminently  qualified  tor  the 
arduous  task  of  instructing  youth.  Their  duty  was  so  faithfully  per- 
formed as  to  secure  success,  and  fill  the  seminary  with  lioarders  from 
distant  places.  But  few  day  scholars  were  admitted.  In  the  i)rime 
of  life  Mrs.  B.  died,  and  in  her  station  could  not  bo  filled  by  another. 
No  one  Avas  more  lamented  by  her  family  and  friends.  Mr.  B.  con- 
tinued his  charge  for  a  few  years ;  then  he  resigned  it  to  another,  and 
was  suddenly  summoned  to  depart,  we  trust  to  a  happier  region.  This 
event  was  deeply  lamented.  He  was  a  friend  to  the  needy,  and  a 
useful  citizen.     Mr.  S.  Alsop  has  the  charge  of  this  establishment. 

Opposite  is  the  Orthodox  Friends'  Meeting-house,  a  very  neat 
place  of  worship,  amidst  noble  trees. 

Shipley's  brewery,  at  the  foot  of  Quaker-ilill,  in  days  gone  by  wjks 
a  place  of  note.  From  this  never-failing  spring,  that  once  supplied 
the  town,  a  stream  issued  through  a  |)ipe  under  the  street,  where  a 


272  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

fountain  supplied  many  with  pure  cold  water.  Raising  this  stream 
many  feet  lias  changed  the  face  of  things,  as  may  be  seen  by  the 
houses  on  the  south  side,  now  almost  buried. 

West  street. — The  stone  house  on  the  west  side  of  this  street  was 
built  under  the  direction  of  Joseph  Shallcross,  and  sold  to  Mordecai 
Woodward,  who  erected  the  large  rope-walk.  On  the  street  west  of 
this,  he  followed  his  occupation  for  years.  After  his  death,  John 
Dauphin,  a  French  emigrant,  became' owner  of  the  whole  property, 
and  employed  agents  to  conduct  the  operations  of  rope-making.  Mr. 
Dauphin  was  concerned  in  the  shipping  business,  and  during  the 
embargo  was  involved  in  difficulties.  After  a  short  attack  of  dis- 
ease, he  was  suddenly  removed.  As  an  affectionate  husband  and 
father,  he  left  a  bereaved  family  to  mourn.  Although  known  to 
be  a  wealthy  man,  much  of  his  estate  escaped  from  his  heirs  into  other 
hands. 

The  N.  W.  corner  of  Sixth  street  was  the  residence  of  Frederick 
Schrader,  gunsmith.  Here  was  a  public  garden,  kept  in  excellent 
order  many  years.  Mr.  S.  was  a  constant  atteudent  at  Trinity 
church,  and  lies  mouldering  in  the  dust  of  that  ancient  cemetery.  At 
his  death,  the  lot  was  sold,  improved,  and  enlarged,  and  now  a  Roman 
Catholic  seminary  of  some  celebrity,  erected  vipon  it,  is  conducted  by 
the  Sisters  of  Charity. 

The  northeast  corner  was  the  residence  of  Caleb  Seal,  who  died  in 
the  ninety-third  year  of  his  age.  His  son,  William  Seal,  inhabited 
this  ancient  spot  till  death,  in  advanced  age,  summoned  him  to  his 
final  abode,  to  leave  a  widow  and  children  bereaved  of  a  kind  hus- 
band and  father.  As  a  citizen,  his  departure  was  found  to  be  a  great 
loss.  He  had  been  long  the  President  of  the  Bank  of  Wilmington 
and  Brandywine ;  he  was  repeatedly  elected  into  the  Delaware  Legis- 
lature, and  often  chosen  executor,  or  appointed  administrator  to  settle 
estates,  and  usually  gave  satisfaction  to  the  heirs.  He  was  a  worthy 
Friend,  and  left  a  large  estate. 

St.  Peter's  Roman  Catholic  Church  is  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
of  Sixth  street.  It  was  built  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  and  has  been 
twice  enlarged,  and  is  now  of  considerable  size.  The  congregation 
has  increased  rapidly,  mostly  by  emigration.  The  cemetery  within 
that  time  has  been  nearly  filled. 

William  Galley's  residence,  where  he  lived  for  many  years,  was 
adjoining  this  cemetery.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  Trinity 
church.     She  was  of  Swedish  descent.     By  care  and  industry,  he  had 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  273 

acquired   a  competency,  and  leaving  no  children,  he  bequeathed  to 
Trinity  church  one  thousand  dollars. 

On  the  northwest  corner  of  Fifth  street  is  an  ancient  dwelling.  In 
olden  time,  it  was  the  residence  of  J.  Bennett,  who  was  the  first  bur- 
gess Avhen  this  village  was  promoted  to  a  borough.  He  was  the  father 
of  Major  Bennett,  who  became  Governor  of  the  State.  His  sou,  Capt. 
Joseph  Bennett,  sailed  from  this  port,  and  was  a  very  worthy  man. 
He  had  several  daughters. 

On  the  opposite  square  is  the  Friends'  burial  ground — an  ancient 
spot,  in  which  interments  are  continued.  The  first  Friends'  meeting- 
house was  built  in  this  square,  but,  though  commodious,  had  become 
too  small  for  the  society,  and  was  taken  down  to  give  place  to  a  very 
large  one,  erected  on  the  site  in  1816  ;  it  is  beautifully  situated,  and 
shaded  by  many  noble  trees. 

Opposite  is  a  Friends'  school  house  of  long  standing  ;  it  was  built 
before  the  Revolution,  and  it  has  been  kept  up  with  much  respecta- 
bility. Boys  and  girls  are  taught  here  in  separate  apartments.  It  is 
under  the  superintendence  of  Friends,  and  much  attention  is  paid  to 
order. 

That  venerable  dwelling  on  the  southwest  corner  was  erected  by 
Wm.  Shipley,  and  his  heirs  have  always  inhabited  it  to  the  present 
time. 

Some  years  ago,  there  was  a  flourishing  boarding  school  for  l)oys 
in  this  square,  under  the  superintendence  of  John  Smith,  who  built  a 
large  house.  He  removed  from  the  town,  and  this  school  was  given 
up.  Next  to  the  corner  was  the  residence  of  Gen.  Washington  during 
his  sojourn  in  Wilmington,  while  the  army  lay  here.  Joseph  C.  Gil- 
pin is  the  present  occupant  and  owner.  The  house  has  been  much  im- 
proved, but  the  parlor  floors,  on  which  the  General  so  often  trod,  have 
been  preserved. 

Captain  John  Lea  sailed  from  this  port  in  other  days,  and  when 
he  retired  from  life  on  the  ocean,  he  was  appointed  chief  magistrate, 
and  served  a  long  term.  His  old  residence  just  below  has  given  j)lacc 
to  a  modern  mansion. 

Next  door  below  was  once  the  residence  of  William  Cobbett ,  already 
mentioned  as  having  been  notorious  among  politicians  in  later  yeai"s. 

And  here  are  two  ancient  dwellings  so  dressed  up  in  modern  style 

that  even  their  inhabitant,  the  shrewd  lawyer  Johnson,  were  she  on 

earth,  would  be  puzzled  to  find  her  old  abode.     As  it  is  not  the  custom 

of  women   to  practice  law,  a   sketch  of  one  nuiy    no!    l)e  amiss,  who 

35 


274  REMINI8GENCE8    OF    WiLMINOTON. 

flourished  early  iu  this  century,  and  who  was  a  personage  of  great  no- 
toriety in  all  the  country  towns  around,  Westchester,  Old  Chester, 
New  Castle,  and  the  lower  counties,  as  the  most  independent  woman 
of  the  age. 

We  must  own  her  personal  appearance  was  not  very  attractive. 
So  masculine  a  mind  was  incapable  of  studying  the  small  and  delicate 
arrangements  of  dress ;  an  olden-timed  petticoat  and  short  gown 
suited  her  fancy.  With  a  man's  hat  and  staff  she  regularly  attended 
courts,  and  read  or  imbibed  law,  which  her  capacious  mind  drank  in 
like  rivers  of  water.  The  technical  terms  were  studied,  and  she  was 
familiar  with  all  the  quirks  and  quibbles  of  attorneys.  With  her  it 
was  a  perfect  mania  to  be  involved  iu  lawsuits.  As  a  land  holder  she 
was  often  gratified,  and  would  enter  the  office  of  any  noted  lawyer  to 
tsll  her  story,  but  never  to  ofier  a  fee. 

When  the  courts  were  in  session  at  New  Castle,  she  made  her  pe- 
destrian excursions  over  there ;  and  with  her  staff  and  her  papers  in 
hand  entered  the  court  house  with  the  confidence  of  a  chief  justice, 
and  pleaded  her  oAvn  cause,  in  the  places  named,  and  even  this,  too, 
in  the  day  of  E.  Tilghmau,  A.  J.  Dallas,  and  others  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  of  John  Vining,  J.  A.  Bayard,  and  N.  Vandyke,  and  others  of 
Delaware.  Mrs.  Mary  Johnson  is  still  remembered  in  this  town  for 
her  ability  as  well  as  for  her  originality  of  character.  She  died  in  old  age. 

All  large  towns  have  some  places  more  noted  than  others.  On 
the  East  we  named  such  in  passing,  and  must  not  omit  those  on  the 
West.  Love  Lane  on  the  western  part,  and  its  hills  and  valleys,  were 
traversed  iu  other  days,  and  Mount  Racket,  Avhich  now  deserves  a 
better  name.  And  the  tan  flats  must  not  be  overlooked,  for  here  a 
portion  of  our  colored  population  is  accommodated  with  dwellings. 
On  a  level,  walled  up  by  high  streets,  the  entrance  descends  by  flights 
of  steps,  and  it  is  rather  a  novelty  to  strangers. 

In  this  section  there  are  several  tan  yards  and  leather  dressing  es- 
tablishments on  quite  a  large  scale.  There  are  a  number  of  foundries 
and  factories,  where  locomotives  and  cars  on  the  most  approved  plan 
are  built,  and  coachmakers'  establishments  of  older  standing.  Our 
ship  builders  seem  to  have  inherited  the  spirit  of  their  fathers,  to  stand 
unrivaled,  especially  in  the  steamboat  line,  and  we  leave  their  works 
to  commend  them.  A  slitting  mill,  cotton  manufactories,  and  rope 
walks,  sail  makers,  and  stone  cutters,  and  in  fact  every  trade  credit- 
able to  the  operator  is  pursued  in  this  town.  And  few  places  of  the 
same  size  can  boast  of  as  orderly  a  population. 


CHAPTER  XXYIII. 

A  Legend  of  the  Revolution— D.  D.  B.— Gen.  Robertdeau — Miss  V.'s  visit — 
Marriage— Seclusion— rD.  D.  B.  enters  His  Majesty's  Service— Mysterious 
news^^A  Perilous  Journey. 

When  glimpses  of  the  past  lead  our  wandering  thoughts  back,  to 
renew  scenes  of  youth  long  winged  away,  the  mind  is  crowded  with 
pleasant  themes.  Although  fleeting  years  have  severed  the  strongest 
earthly  ties,  and  tears  of  sorrow  flowed  over  many  a  dissolved  link 
which  bound  us  to  those  we  loved,  as  we  reflect  on  days  gone  by,  and 
upon  those  who  are  mouldering  in  the  grave,  we  could  fill  pages,  in 
recounting  their  story,  and  exhibit  many  a  romantic  picture  in  real 
life. 

But  there  is  one  now  who  rises  fresh  upon  the  mind,  interwoven 
with  many  incidents  which  awaken  a  deep  interest ;  and  as  a  narration 
of  the  thrilling  events  of  life,  at  all  periods,  has  enlisted  the  sympathies, 
or  excited  the  passions,  if  skillfully  portrayed,  this  may,  in  its  simple 
garb  of  truth,  as  a  faithfuj  delineation  of  incidents  in  the  history  of 
the  Revolution,  have  its  claim  to  our  attention. 

Dr.  Daniel  Bancroft  was  the  descendant  of  English  parents.  He 
was  l)orn  in  Massachusetts,  but  went  to  England  in  liis  early  years ; 
and  was  thus  called  ai^,  Englishman.  He  was  endowed  with  .><uporior 
intellect,  highly  cultivated.  He  chose  the  medical  profession,  aud  in 
a  small  town  near  London  studied  with  a  physician  who  was  an  emi- 
nent chemist.  As  this  science  was  particularly  attractive  to  him,  he 
devoted  his  time  to  it.  Aided  by  every  facility,  his  arduous  labor  was 
rewarded  by  his  pre-eminence  in  the  study. 

In  compounding  drugs,  when  sugar  of  lead  was  used,  he  was  apt 
to  taste  it,  and  was  not  aware  of  its  pernicious  influence  on  the  nervous 
system  until  he  was  brought  to  a  critical  situation,  which  aflected  him 
in  declining  years. 

His  only  brother  was  a  distinguished  physician  in  the  royal  house- 
hold, of  whom  the  historian,  and  the  British  surgeon  noticed  liereafter 
in  this  story,  were  S4)ns.  The  yeHow  dye  from  the  l)lack  oak  bark — 
now  known  in  connnerce  as  the  <iuercitron  bark — was  the  discovery 
of  these  two  gentlemen,  who  were  honored  by  a  patent  from  King 

275 


276  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

George  the  Third,  granting  for  seven  years  the  exclusive  right  of  im- 
portation of  it  into  England. 

They  were  calculating  on  an  immense  revenue  during  that  period. 
It  was  the  beginning  of  troublous  times  Avhen  the  hero  of  our  story 
embarked  for  this  country  to  select  a  place  suitable  for  his  exports. 
The  brother  in  London,  who  was  to  be  the  recipient,  so  warmly  espoused 
the  American  cause,  on  the  side  of  the  Earl  of  Chatham,  that  it  por- 
tended ruin  to  their  schemes. 

When  hostilities  commenced,  he  deemed  it  most  prudent  to  retire 
to  France,  where  he  educated  his  children,  and  the  surgeon  and  Mr. 
Montgomery  were  classmates. 

Dr.  Bancroft  leaned  to  royalty,  though  he  resolved  to  remain  neu- 
tral, and  not  express  his  views.  However,  neutral  ground  was  scarce, 
and  he  found  no  spot  whereon  to  rest  his  foot,  but  with  a  few  families 
of  similar  views  in  Philadelphia  he  cautiously  formed  an  acquaintance. 
Among  these  was  a  wealthy  widow,  and  in  her  house  he  mingled  with 
the  elite.  Her  only  son,  the  heir  to  a  large  estate,  was  idolized,  and 
indulged  in  extravagance.  He  was  an  ardent,  thoughtless  youth, 
openly  espousing  the  rebel  cause,  which  was  a  great  annoyance  to  his 
most  loyal  mother. 

Dr.  Bancroft  foresaw  his  own  critical  situation,  and  felt  the  pro- 
priety of  retiring  to  some  sequestered  spot,  where  he  might  remain 
unknown.  He  apologized  to  this  hospitable  lady  for  his  abrupt  with- 
drawal fi'om  her  delightful  circle. 

She  manifested  great  regret  at  this  conclusion,  for  an  interesting 
niece  was  daily  expected  from  New  York  to  vi^it  her.  She  had  relied 
much  on  his  gallantry  to  promote  her  pleasure,  and  had  intended  to 
surprise  him  by  the  introduction.  A  brilliant  reception  was  to  crown 
her  arrival,  and  surely  he  could  wait  a  few  days  to  be  present.  The 
request  was  too  impressive  to  be  resisted,  and  he  complied. 

This  niece  was  Miss  Vallois,  the  daughter  of  her  only  brother, 
who  lost  his  wife  young,  and  under  most  afflicting  circumstances. 
This  lady  had  been  on  a  visit  to  a  sister,  and  on  returning  home,  a 
storm  arose,  and  upset  the  packet  on  the  Delaware.  Instantly  the 
cabin  was  filled  with  water,  and  the  gangway  blockaded  with  floating 
furniture,  so  that  the  jirompt  assistance  to  rescue  the  passengers  proved 
of  little  avail.  The  only  hope  of  release  was  through  a  hole  to  be 
cut  in  the  quarter-deck.  But  while  this  was  progressing,  the  lamp  of 
life  had  ceased  to  burn  with  all  but  two.  One  passenger  and  this  in- 
fant only  were  spared. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  277 

The  mother  was  brought  home  a  lifeless  corpse,  and  the  father 
became  a  wanderer.  A  sister,  married  to  Dr.  Bard,  an  eminent  phy- 
sician in  New  York,  adopted  the  child  and  educated  her  with  care. 
At  this  time,  she  had  just  entered  her  eighteenth  year,  and,  with  an 
elegant  figure  and  fascinating  manner,  she  was  esteemed  a  beauty, 
and  endowed  with  great  conversational  powers.  She  was  the  pride  of 
her  uncle,  who  had  long  been  solicited  by  this  aunt,  and  reluctantly 
yielded  his  consent,  to  make  this  visit. 

Dr.  Bard,  of  New  York,  was  a  devoted  patriot,  and  when  the 
enemy's  fleet  was  expected,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  a  country 
seat  near  Livingston  Manor,  As  it  was  an  eventful  era,  it  may  be 
well  to  intersperse  our  story  with  anecdotes  of  the  times. 

Brigadier-Gen.  Robertdau  took  charge  of  this  young  lady  to 
Philadelphia — then  a  journey  of  two  days.  During  the  first  dinner, 
at  a  hotel,  some  one  had  heard  of  his  antipathy  to  cats,  and  was  dis- 
I)osed  to  play  a  trick,  by  letting  a  cat  into  the  room  just  as  they  were 
seated  at  the  table.  He  turned  pale,  dropped  his  knife  and  fork, 
faintly  exclaiming,  "  A  cat !"  and  fell  back  in  his  chair  stiff  as  a  corpse. 

All  present  were  alarmed,  and  after  he  revived,  he  assured  them 
it  was  a  weakness  over  which  he  had  no  control,  and  he  would  rather 
face  the  cannon's  mouth,  or  point  of  the  bayonet,  than  encounter  a 
single  cat.     Hence  he  was  dubbed  "  The  Pussey  General." 

The  young  lady,  introduced  into  society,  fell  under  the  influence 
of  a  magician's  spell.  The  aunt  prided  herself  on  her  appearance, 
and  was  so  caressing,  her  friends  so  devotedly  attentive,  that  every- 
thing around  her  was  gilded  with  pleasure,  and  diffused  a  bright 
aspect  over  all  she  saw.  Hitherto  she  had  been  treated  as  a  child ; 
confined  to  her  studies,  or  usefully  employed.  Now  she  was  the  ol)ject 
of  attraction. 

The  doctor's  judicious  plan  was  not  so  easily  imagined  as  he  hail 
thought.  Society  had  more  captivating  charms,  while  his  intellectual 
l)owers  and  courteous  manners  were  not  overlooked  by  the  lady. 
Nothing  was  omitted  by  the  aunt  to  make  a  favorable  imi)ressi»»n  on 
either,  and  she  rejoiced  at  his  attention,  although  fully  aware  that  her 
niece's  guardians  would  spurn  a  connection  with  a  Tory.  Talents, 
consequence,  nor  wealth  would  avail. 

Miss  Vallois's  honorable  j)rinciples  and  warm  affection  towards  her 

benefactors  made  her  aware  that  her  path  of  duty  pointed  homeward, 

and  she  resolved  to  [)ursue  it  and   forsake  her  [»Kasures,  by   bidding 

adieu  to  her  admiring  companions.     The  intercourse  between  tlie  two 

35* 


278  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

cities  was  suspended,  and  proved  a  hindrance  to  performing  her  in- 
tention. The  doctor  adhered  to  the  royal  side  amid  popular  discon- 
tents. In  the  gathering  storm,  the  time  came  when  her  decision  was 
to  be  made,  and  she  adopted  his  views. 

Under  the  auspices  of  this  aunt,  a  private  marriage  was  hastily 
concluded  upon,  not  to  be  consummated  within  her  mansion,  which 
would  effect  an  insuperable  barrier  between  the  friendship  of  two 
sisters  whose  political  views  were  so  opposite.  This  one  thought  her 
niece  was  forming  an  alliance  so  splendid  as  to  justify  or  excuse  any 
intrigue  on]  her  part. 

At  the  little  toAvu  of  Burlington,  in  New  Jersey,  the  marriage 
ceremony  was  performed,  and  they  retired  to  a  farm  house.  Here 
the  doctor's  sentiments  were  known,  and  he  was  closely  watched — but 
an  occasion  soon  offered  which  led  him  to  prison ;  and  he  most  indig- 
nantly denounced  such  harsh  treatment  merely  for  opinions,  not  hav- 
ing committed  any  condemnatory  act.  When  released,  he  openly 
espooised  the  royal  cause,  and  entered  on  board  the  Roebuck  ship  of 
war  as  surgeon,  to  be  exchanged  for  a  situation  in  the  army. 

In  a  few  weeks,  his  interesting  wife  was  left  in  solitude.  The 
family  were  plain  Friends,  kind  in  their  way,  but  no  society  for  her — 
not  being  at  all  intellectual ;  and  books  in  those  days  were  a  locked 
treasure,  when  all  valuables  were  concealed,  and  people  were  on  the 
wing. 

The  faithful  guardian  of  her  infancy  had  resolved  to  know  her  no 
more.  To  both  the  separation  was  heart-rending.  This  communica- 
tion was  made  to  her  in  retirement,  where  she  reflected  much.  Good 
common  sense  and  a  cheerful  disposition  led  her  to  secure  the  friend- 
ship of  the  inmates,  though  so  different  in  their  views,  tastes,  and 
habits.  They  were  laborious  farmers,  rising  with  the  dawn  and  retir- 
ing at  twilight,  and  so  occupied  with  domestic  concerns  as  to  leave 
little  time  for  relaxation. 

Yet,  in  this  rustic  circle,  a  young  female,  nurtured  in  intellectual 
refinement,  devoted  to  social  pleasure,  and  possessing  a  discriminating 
mind,  with  genius  to  search  for  hidden  treasure,  discovered  traits  of 
character  that  would  have  ennobled  many  in  high  stations. 

In  her  character  there  was  a  union  of  dignity  and  companionship. 
It  was  desirable  for  her  to  have  associates,  and  she  sought  the  regard 
of  the  household  by  manifesting  gratitude  for  their  attentions,  and  by 
conformity  to  their  haljits  wherein  she  could  yield.  Her  respectful 
manner  engendered  a  reciprocal  attachment  dissolved  only  in  death. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  279 

Hitherto  ample  funds  had  been  supplied,  with  affectionate  remem- 
brances. Now  months  had  glided  by  without  news  from  the  doctor. 
Her  last  guinea  was  treasured  up,  and  she  was  in  arrears  for  a  «juar- 
ter's  board.  A  veil  of  gloom  was  thrown  over  the  future,  and  dread 
seized  her  mind  lest  a  life  so  dear  had  fallen  a  victim  to  a  southern 
climate.  Her  efforts  to  maintain  cheerfulness  were  on  the  wane,  her 
kind  hosts  observed  unusual  sadness,  and  were  striving  to  keej)  from 
her  the  unfavorable  rumors  afloat,  when  she  was  informed  of  the  ar- 
rival in  the  vicinity  of  a  gentleman  direct  from  the  encampment  where 
the  doctor's  regiment  lay. 

Mrs.  Bancroft  made  a  visit  to  him,  without  an  introduction,  and 
inquired  how  the  regiment  W'as  situated,  and  then  for  Dr.  B.  He, 
bemg  a  stranger  to  her  anxiety,  related  what  he  knew.  He  said  he 
had  spent  an  hour  with  Dr.  B.  and  his  bride  the  morning  of  his  de- 
parture, and  had  attended  his  wedding  three  evenings  before. 

After  listening  to  the  stranger's  story,  she  was  overpowered  and 
silenced  for  a  time ;  then  she  exclaimed,  "Impossible,  sir,  for  he  is  my 
husband !"  Her  informant  was  deeply  confused ;  however,  on  com- 
paring incidents,  he  was  convinced  of  his  identity,  and  felt  so  indig- 
nant at  being  a  participator  in  any  way  in  such  a  base  procedure,  and 
the  companion  of  a  villain  too,  that  would  abandon  so  interesting  a 
young  creature,  with  an  infant — in  the  warmth  of  ardor,  he  vehemently 
denounced  his  baseness,  which  aroused  her  to  check  his  rashness,  by 
repeating  with  composure,  "  Sir !  it  is  impossible,  for  he  is  my  hus- 
band ;  and  I  will  not  believe  him  guilty  of  dishonor." 

Late  in  the  evening,  she  returned  to  her  solitude,  and  retired. 
After  a  sleepless  night,  her  cheeks  were  bedewed  with  tears,  and  her 
eyes  betrayed  a  sorrowing  heart,  and  she  resolved  to  inform  this  be- 
nevolent family  of  all  that  had  passed  in  her  interview  with  the  stran- 
ger, and  of  her  destitution,  hopes  and  fears,  and  to  conceal  nothing, 
confiding  in  them  as  friends  capable  of  sympathizing  in  her  sorrow. 

Mingling  with  the  group  at  the  breakfast-table,  she  communicated 
her  sorrows,  and  few  would  have  believed  such  an  impression  could 
have  been  made  on  persons  so  bound  to  worldly  cares.  Their  warmest 
sympathies  were  enlisted.  How  sweetly  does  the  spirit  of  a  kind  affec- 
tion steal  over  the  heart !  for  they  did  "  weep  with  those  who  wept." 
The  duties  of  the  day  were  laid  asiile,  and  they  devoted  their  time  to 
soothe  her  agitated  feelings,  and  alleviate  her  sorrows,  by  offering  her 
an  asylum  for  life  under  their  roof 

Mrs.  A.,  with  whom  she  resided,  clasped  her  arm  around  her,  and 


280  REMINI8GENCE8    OF    WILMINGTON. 

embracing  her,  said,  should  poverty  befall  her  in  those  perilous  times, 
she  should  share  her  last  half  loaf  As  such  an  incident  could  only 
be  felt — we  leave  it. 

The  mysterious  story  of  the  marriage  winged  its  way  through  the 
country,  adding  fuel  to  the  Tory  cause,  and  condemning  both  parties 
upon  the  most  uncharitable  suppositions.  With  a  few,  she  was  an 
object  of  pity ;  but  as  it  was  generally  thought  no  good  thing  could 
come  out  of  Nazareth,  more  censured  her,  and  said  it  was  a  visitation 
for  marrying  a  Tory. 

Amidst  all  this  commotion,  letters  brought  remittances  and  the 
cheering  news  that  the  Dr.  enjoyed  health  and  cheerfulness,  and 
proved  that  absence  had  not  chilled  his  affection. 

The  British  were  in  full  glare  of  prosjjerity.  In  the  south,  the 
Dr.  had  good  quarters,  and  the  best  accommodations  were  provided 
for  her  reception.  In  a  few  days,  a  vessel  was  to  sail  from  New-  York 
with  stores,  and  a  few  passengers.  Capt.  Lee  of  the  army  had  en- 
gaged to  take  her  in  charge,  and  she  was  entreated  to  embrace  the 
opportunity,  as  no  other  would  soon  offer,  and  to  expect  only  the  pro- 
tection of  Capt.  L.,  as  he  was  an  unpolished  man,  but  faithful  to  his 
trust. 

Then  the  marriage  story  was  solved.  The  Dr.  B.  named  had  been 
a  surgeon  in  the  same  regiment ;  the  sj^elling  of  their  name  differing 
only  in  two  letters,  and  pronounced  very  similar,  induced  the  Dr.  to 
fear  the  circumstance  might  reach  Mrs.  B.,  and  be  circulated  to  his 
discredit,  and  wound  her  feelings.  He  therefore  gave  an  explanation. 
No  hesitation  obscured  her  mind — at  once  she  resolved  to  go ;  but  a 
paragraph  in  this  happy  epistle  mingled  her  joy  with  sadness. 

The  Dr.  advised  her  to  bid  farewell  to  country,  kindred,  and 
friends,  for  the  cloud  of  war  was  darkening,  no  cheering  gleams  of 
peace  were  gilding  the  horizon,  and  ere  the  joyful  sound  should  be 
hailed,  his  patent  right  might  expire,  and  the  verdure  of  the  plant  be 
nipped  ere  it  advanced  to  a  golden  harvest.  Jlis  brother  had  pur- 
sued a  course  which  blighted  a  hope  of  its  renewal. 

When  he  could  resign  his  commission  with  honor,  the  vicinity  of 
London  would  be  the  place  where  he  designed  to  engage  in  his  pro- 
fession. 

To  leave  the  guardians  of  her  helpless  years,  without  manifesting 
the  least  gratitude,  or  sorrow  for  eluding  their  authority,  filled  her 
heart  with  anguish.  In  the  midnight  gloom  of  a  sleepless  night,  she 
made  a  solemn  vow  to  hazard  a  pilgrimage  to  their  retreat,  implore 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  281 

their  forgiveness,  and  in  the  bonds  of  union  with  those  beloved,  invoke 
a  blessing  for  Divine  guidance  over  her  imi)ending  fate.  As  sleep  had 
fled,  the  hours  were  spent  in  maturing  her  plans  with  calmness  ;  not 
a  moment  was  to  be  lost.  A  suitable  woman  had  been  engaged  to  at- 
tend her  infant,  in  the  event  of  her  going  South  ;  and  her  residence 
was  in  Elizabethtown,  where  Capt.  L.  was  to  meet  Mrs.  B.  in  fifteen 
days,  equipped  for  the  voyage,  at  a  moment's  notice. 

She  was  fully  aware  that  many  dangers  must  be  encountered  in  her 
journey  up  the  North  River,  and  partly  on  foot,  and  alone.  She 
provided  suitable  apparel,  and  her  kind  hostess  supplied  a  dark  home- 
spun dress,  fitted  to  her  person.  On  the  following  day,  her  host  con- 
veyed her  child  and  baggage  to  E.,  and  in  the  care  of  the  trusty  wo- 
man she  left  her  treasure,  suited  herself  with  a  bonnet  and  coarse 
shoes.  Her  guineas  were  quilted  in  a  girdle,  and  fastened  around  her 
waist ;  with  her  bundle,  she  set  out  on  her  adventurous  way. 

Uncertain  how  to  proceed,  a  large  reward  enabled  her  to  stipulate 
with  a  man  for  a  passage  to  New  York.  From  thence,  through  the 
influence  of  a  British  ofiicer,  she  was  conducted  to  a  town  some  miles 
distant,  where  she  was  informed  that,  at  a  village,  seven  miles  hence, 
a  packet  touched  twice  a  week,  and  that  the  morrow  was  their  regular 
day.  It  was  the  afternoon  ;  no  money  could  procure  a  conveyance, 
not  even  an  escort.  The  way  was  rugged.  Soldiers  passing  to  and 
fro,  military  stations  of  conflicting  parties,  were  a  dread  to  the  way- 
faring man,  often  subjecting  him  to  danger.  But  these  perils  must  be 
met,  for  her  time  was  limited.  In  sober  times,  such  an  enterprise 
would  be  deemed  arduous  ;  now  there  were  many  risks,'peculiar  to  the 
distracted  state  of  the  country ;  besides  she  might  be  detained  as  a 
spy.     All  these  perils  seemed  to  require  a  masculine  mind. 


36 


CHAPTEE   XXIX. 

The  Hermit — Recruiting  Party — Evening  Mists — Village — Tavern — Gen.  Green 
— Secuies  Her  Passage — Recognition— Dr.  B.— Retreat — Susy — The  Meeting 
— Reconciliation— Dr.  S  —The  Parting — A  Ride— Baggage  Wagon— New 
York — Crosses  to  New  Jersey. 

It  was  the  season  of  spring,  and  the  afternoon  of  this  pedestrian 
excursion  was  damp  and  cool.  Evils  which  might  beset  her  crowded 
her  mind  until  it  was  like  a  bewildering  dream.  She  wandered  from 
the  road,  and  a  solemn  awe  seemed  to  whisper  peace,  where  all  ani- 
mated nature  was  still ;  even  the  leaves  had  ceased  to  quiver.  The 
foot-i^ath  was  devious,  and  the  cart  road  forked ;  not  a  human  being, 
or  a  habitation,  to  mitigate  her  loneliness  and  sadness.  Even  the 
creaking  of  her  coarse  shoes  was  startling ;  and  being  aroused  by  the 
sound  of  a  drum,  with  hasty  steps  she  reached  the  woods,  where  an 
opening  presented  the  cheering  sight  of  a  cabin.  It  was  the  abode  of 
a  hermit,  who  admitted  her  with  kindness,  which  was  balm  to  her 
wounded  feelings.  While  she  rested,  conversing  with  him,  the  re- 
cruiting party  passed  by. 

Here  information  was  gained,  which,  had  it  been  communicated 
at  the  time,  would  have  been  important  to  the  rebel  cause ;  but  her 
loyalty  silenced  the  disclosure ;  besides,  it  might  lead  her  from  the 
path  of  duty  she  had  resolved  to  pursue. 

The  recluse  stated  that  these  soldiers  were  marching  to  the  village, 
where  a  detachment  of  Gen.  Green's  regiment  was  quartered,  and  the 
packet  would  leave  there  the  next  morning,  for  the  last  trip  that  week, 
and  no  conveyance  or  escort  could  be  obtained  so  late  in  the  day.  She 
told  him  that  necessity  compelled  her  to  go  on,  and  he  advised  her  to 
follow  the  drum,  as  she  had  strayed,  though  not  far. 

This  road  was  more  intricate,  and,  nearly  exhausted  with  fatigue, 
she  kept  the  cheerless  path  at  a  respectful  distance  from  the  drum,  and 
this  apparent  mishap  insured  her  a  safe  guidance,  when  other  efforts 
must  have  failed. 

The  dusky  shadows  of  evening  were  thickening  around  her,  and 
the  distant  druin  and  shrill  bugle  from  the  barracks  warned  her  of  the 
approaching  hour  for  the  sundown  reveille.  The  stately  hills  and 
rocks  rose  upon  her  view,  and  the  blue  vaporing  mists  were  gathered 

282 


Reminiscences  of  Wilminoton  283 

about  its  summits,  and  hanging  like  curtains  in  the  air.  Soon  the 
twilight  died  away,  and  the  glimmer  of  a  few  lights  marked  the  place 
of  her  destination,  when  an  officer  glanced  suddenly  by  her ;  yet  she 
thought  she  recognized  his  features. 

Entering  an  ordinary  tavern,  she  seated  hei-self  in  the  bar-room  by 
the  fire,  hungry,  chilled  with  cold,  and  weary,  and  so  dejected  that 
she  hesitated  to  order  a  meal  or  a  night's  lodging,  even  with  a  full 
purse  to  pay  her  fare.  She  sighed  for  a  glimpse  of  a  familiar  face,  or 
even  the  sound  of  a  voice  to  address  her.  In  this  disconsolate  state, 
she  wept.  A  quick  footstep  arrested  her  attention,  and  the  well-known 
face  of  Gen.  Green  was  presented.  To  introduce  herself  would  insure 
aid  and  counsel,  so  much  needed  ;  yet  she  shrunk  from  this,  and  even 
tried  to  conceal,  her  face. 

He  paced  the  floor,  evidently  an  attentive  observer,  and  advancing, 
addressed  her  politely,  inquiring  the  cause  of  so  young  a  female  being 
alone  amid  such  peril.  An  evasive  and  confused  reply  was  given, 
when  he  demanded  an  explicit  answer.  To  tell  her  motive  was  a  hard 
struggle,  it  simply  concerned  herself,  to  induce  the  captain  of  the 
packet  to  set  her  on  shore  at  Dr.  Bard's  landing. 

The  general  listened  to  her  brief  reply  with  intense  solicitude,  and 
exclaimed,  "  Can  it  be  possible  !  Am  I  deceived,  or  is  it  the  voice  of 
M.  Vailois  ?"  A  conflict  of  feeling  agitated  her,  and  almost  choked 
with  sobs,  she  said,  "  Yes,  Gen,  Green,  you  do  know  the  voice !  It  is 
that  of  a  penitent  wanderer,  on  a  pilgrimage  to  her  foster  home,  an 
exile,  rushing  into  the  arms  of  her  early  friends  to  beg  forgiveness,  and 
implore  a  parting  blessing,  ere  she  bids  them  a  final  farewell." 

The  recognition,  though  grave  and  silent,  was  deeply  exciting. 
The  general  was  cautious,  and  dared  not  converse  freely,  lest  it  should 
be  known  that  he  had  an  interview  with  the  wife  of  a  Tory.  He 
begged  her  to  betray  no  knowledge  of  him,  but  to  receive  any  little 
attention  as  charity  towards  a  helpless  woman. 

The  walk  of  seven  miles  in  fear  and  trembling  was  wearisome. 
The  day  had  been  passed  without  refreshment,  anil  now  she  was  ex- 
hausted. The  general  relieved  her  embarrassment  by  ordering  supper 
and  securing  her  lodging,  and,  still  more  important,  he  ordered  the 
captain  to  land  her  where  she  desired.  This  couKl  not  have  been  ef- 
fected without  his  influence,  and  her  scheme  would  have  failed.  This 
event  she  deemed  an  interposition  of  Providence  in  her  behalf,  and 
her  anxiety  and  care  were  soon  banished  by  a  refreshing  sleep.  "  Upon 
this  I  awaked,  and  behold,  and  my  sleep  was  sweet  unto  me." 


284  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Early  in  the  morning  she  went  on  board  the  packet.  The  captain 
was  kind,  and  told  her  she  was  indebted  to  General  Green's  influence 
for  being  set  on  shore  at  B.'s  landing.  She  ascended  the  frowning 
hills  with  her  bundle  ;  the  path  lay  beside  the  skirts]of  a  forest,  where 
the  wind  sighed  mournfully  through  the  bi*oken  boughs  of  many  an 
ancient  oak.  The  winged  tribes  had  ceased  to  sing,  and  were  retiring 
from  their  airy  flights,  flitting  among  the  branches  to  nestle  into  rest. 

The  sun,  descending  the  western  hills,  threw  its  lengthened  shadow 
over  the  noble  trees,  as  an  emblem  of  departing  time,  and  the  golden 
tint  fringed  the  borders  of  the  verdant  fields,  inspiring  her  with  sub- 
lime emotions.  She  sat  down  on  a  mossy  seat,  feeling  her  need  of 
support  and  guidance  in  the  difficulty  of  entering  the  abode  of  her 
ofiended  relatives,  doubtful  of  meeting  a  reception,  after  all  she  had 
passed  through. 

Thus  agitated  and  veiled  in  gloom,  a  tall  figure  came  forth  out  of 
the  forest  glade :  his  snowy  locks  were  hanging  over  his  shoulders,  and 
a  bundle  of  sticks  in  his  arms.  The  recognition  of  his  features  start- 
led her  ;  he  arose  upon  her  sight  like  a  spirit  of  other  days  ;  a  ner- 
vous shiver  shook  her  whole  frame,  and  she  shrieked  and  fainted.  His 
attention  was  arrested,  and  when  she  revived,  she  exclaimed,  "Oh  ! 
ray  father  !" 

His  wanderings  had  separated  them  since  childhood;  remem- 
brances of  the  past  flitted  across  her  mind  to  sadden  their  meeting. 
They  conversed  until  the  evening  shades  gathered  over  them.  Her 
parent  could  give  her  no  advice,  for  the  family  were  so  exasperated  at 
her  marriage  with  a  Tory,  that  even  to  name  her  was  prohibited,  and 
the  youngest  son  only  ventured  to  allude  to  her.  She  was  his  favorite 
cousin,  and,  being  ardent  in  his  feelings,  he  vowed  that,  when  he  was 
a  man,  he  would  traverse  oceans,  and  scale  mountains  to  meet  his  be- 
loved cousin  P. 

Being  left  to  pursue  her  lonely  way  to  the  mansion,  she  met  an  old 
servant,  who  was  milking  a  stray  cow  near  the  kitchen  door  ;  the  ser- 
vant had  always  been  treated  by  the  family  more  as  a  relative  than  a 
slave.  Of  her  she  inquired  for  a  night's  lodging.  Her  familiar  voice 
astonished  the  woman  ;  she  sprang  on  her  feet,  knew  she  was  not  mis- 
taken, and  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears.  She  repeated  what  her  father 
had  told  her,  and  advised  her  to  rush  into  the  parlor  and  surprise  her 
uncle  and  aunt,  for  Master  B.  was  there,  and  he  was  a  host  in  her 
favor. 

She  acquiesced,  following  the  woman  to  the  parlor  door,  who 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  285 

waved  her  hand  to  her  mistress,  and  said,  "  A  benighted  traveler 
begged  lodging."  Mrs.  B.  answered,  "  Susy,  you  know  we  have  no 
spare  room."  "  Mistress,  she  looks  like  a  lady,  and  so  young."  "  Let 
some  one  go  with  her  to  the  farm-house."  "Oh,  mistress,  just  come 
and  speak  to  her  yourself."  "  Why  do  you  persevere  so,  Susy  ?" 
"  Oh  dear  mistress,  do  come  and  see  ;  she  is  so  tired,  besides  so  pret- 
ty."    Mrs.  B.  replied,  "  Susy,  you  always  manage  to  gain  your  point." 

The  niece  now  came  forward,  saying,  "  ^ladanie,  will  you  have  the 
goodness  to  give  me  a  shelter  under  your  roof?  Overcome  with  fa- 
tigue, I  am  too  feeble  to  proceed  further."  Her  voice  and  manner 
were  impressive. 

The  aunt  started,  and  sighed  heavily.  The  whole  company  were 
attracted,  as  they  were  silent  at  the  moment,  for  her  young  cousin 
had  just  been  reproved,  in  their  presence,  for  alluding  to  his  Tory 
cousin.  In  his  excited  state,  he  had  grasped  a  heavy  chair,  and  recog- 
nizing her  voice,  in  a  frenzy  of  joy  dashed  the  chair  so  forcibly,  it 
l)roke  against  the  wall.  They  saw  it  in  time  to  escape  the  stroke,  or 
it  would  have  leveled  the  three. 

However,  their  screams  alarmed  the  household,  who  all  ran.  The 
chair  touched  Susy's  elbow  and  she  fainted,  and  amid  the  consterna- 
tion this  hero  exclaimed,  "It  is  my  oxon  cousin  Polly  T  (her  name  hav- 
ing been  Mary  Magdalen  Vallois,)  and  he  affectionately  embraced 
her.  He  alone  was  regardless  of  the  passing  incident,  and  the  whole 
was  a  most  pathetic  yet  ludicrous  scene !  Their  awakened  sympathies 
subdued  their  displeasure.  The  transition  was  so  sudden,  from  the 
severity  of  the  rebuke  addressed  to  the  youth,  to  the  most  affectionate 
greeting  of  the  wanderer.  Here  the  offender's  presence  "  lulled  the 
angry  passions  into  peace." 

It  was  as  overpowering  as  anexpected  to  her  to  be  blended  once 
more  with  this  interesting  family,  in  the  bonds  of  affection,  and  feel 
that  the  flame  of  love  still  burned  brightly  around  the  domestic  hearth. 
Her  most  sanguine  hopes  did  not  reach  beyond  a  cold  reception — to 
be  permitted  to  acknowledge  her  error,  and  to  bid  a  final  farewell  in 
good  will.  "  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to 
dwell  together  in  unity  ;  it  is  like  the  precious  ointment  upon  the  head, 
and  as  the  dew  that  descended  upon  the  mountains  of  Zion,  for  there 
the  Lord  commanded  the  blessing !" 

When  the  flurry  had  passed  over,  her  dress  was  scrutinized,  and 
queries  arose,  why  in  such  a  garb,  and  alone?  how  was  it  pos.><ible  for 
a  female  to  travel  from  New  York,  and  pass  the  diflercut  military 
3G* 


286  Reminiscenges  of  Wilmington. 

stations?  Circumstances  seemed  to  confirm  their  opinion,  that  her 
condition  was  forlorn,  cross  events  and  sorrow  liad  induced  her  so 
rashly  to  encounter  the  hazardous  journey,  and  hope  only  had  buoyed 
her  up,  that  as  a  repentant  exile  she  could  recover  her  foster-father's 
protecting  care. 

The  only  information  they  ever  had  was  the  story  of  the  Dr.'s  mar- 
riage in  Georgia.  Even  in  primitive  days,  ere  telegraphic  wires  were 
stretched,  to  convey  news  from  the  Atlantic  shores  to  the  mountains, 
evil  reports  were  borne  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  but  they  knew  her 
high  spirit  must  have  passed  through  the  furnace  of  affliction  ere  it 
was  melted  into  such  humility.  Her  destitution  was  evident,  for  she 
was  meanly  clad,  and  without  a  change  of  raiment.  This  conclusion 
rekindled  their  most  ardent  love,  and  in  pity,  they  vied  with  each  other 
in  kindness,  resolving  to  let  the  unpleasant  past  be  buried  in  oblivion, 
and  to  give  her  a  cheerful  welcome  to  the  home  of  her  youth,  though 
events  had  separated  and  made  their  path  in  life  so  opposite. 

After  the  excitement  produced  by  the  extraordinary  scene  had  sub- 
sided, every  one  was  anxious  to  know"  how  a  lonely  female  could  travel 
the  road  in  such  wild  and  stirring  times.  Her  physical  strength  was 
exhausted,  but  her  mental  energies  were  exhilarated  by  the  deep  in- 
terest manifested  towards  her.  She  began  to  recount  her  adventures, 
omitting  that  part  which  referred  to  the  absent  ones,  and  this  required 
considerable  skill  to  manage,  for  she  had  designed,  when  about  to  de- 
part, to  state  in  few  words  the  object  of  her  visit.  "  I  kept  silence, 
even  from  good  words,  and  this  was  pain  and  grief  to  me." 

Many  incidents  peculiar  to  this  trying  season,  when  related  by  the 
adventurers,  were  truly  affecting,  and  as  she  progressed,  they  drew 
nearer  and  melted  into  tears.  Those  touching  scenes,  if  remembered 
at  this  day,  would  be  gi'own  dim  and  old — or  not  understood.  But 
she  was  famous  at  narrative — there  was  a  freshness  and  life  in  all  her 
descriptions,  and  no  one  was  ever  disappointed  or  wearied  by  them. 

Many  little  occurrences  are  still  fresh  in  memory,  which,  if  nar- 
rated with  her  powers,  would  add  beauty  and  effect — such  as  the 
scenes  mingling  with  the  dreary  walk  in  the  wood,  as  the  shadows  of 
evening  advanced,  with  the  cottage  bursting  upon  her  sight — the  her- 
mit's reception — and  the  old  man's  tale  of  the  war,  never  before  dis- 
closed. And  the  solemn  thoughts  in  following  the  drum  to  the  village 
— the  recognition  of  a  friend  in  General  Green — and  the  sudden  ap- 
pearance of  her  father,  whom  she  had  not  seen  since  her  childhood ; 
all  these  were  related  with  so  much  feeling  that  a  thrilling  interest 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  287 

was  kept  up  until  the  dawning  light  of  a  new  morn  aroused  the 
group. 

The  following  day  was  the  only  one  she  could  devote  to  her  loved 
friends,  and  the  thoughts  of  a  separation  from  her  family  was  a  pain- 
ful trial,  but  was  submitted  to  with  firmness.  Toward.s  noon  the  next 
day,  she  ventured  to  disclose  the  design  of  her  visit,  and  refer  to  her 
future  destiny.  This  was  harrowing  up  their  feelings,  so  that  every 
word  sounded  on  the  listening  ear  like  time's  parting  knell.  Strong 
objections  were  eloquently  argued  against  her  return  to  New  York, 
and  experience  convinced  her  it  was  a  dangerous  path — but  that  ma- 
ternal duty  bid  her  "  brave  the  lion  in  the  way." 

Her  kind  uncle  pledged  himself  to  have  the  child  brought  on,  a 
less  hazardous  enterprise,  and  seeming  to  meet  every  obstacle.  He 
depicted  in  glowing  colors  the  toils  and  crosses  attendant  on  life  in  a 
camp  ;  but  neither  entreaties  nor  remonstrances  availed.  She  resolved 
to  encounter  the  perils  and  hardships  incident  to  military  duties,  and 
share  her  husband's  fate,  and  neither  her  courage  nor  powers  of  en- 
durance ever  failed. 

They  were  amazed  at  the  readiness  with  which  she  was  hastening 
to  cross  the  ocean  to  meet  her  husband,  and  the  diseases  of  a  southern 
climate.  While  they  condemned  the  rashness  of  so  young  a  female, 
they  applauded  the  faithfulness  of  the  wife. 

About  one  o'clock,  company  was  announced  :  Dr.  S.,  of  Philadel- 
phia, his  daughter,  and  son-in-law,  Mr.  L.,  of  New  York.  Their  ar- 
rival introduced  a  different  subject.  On  the  threatened  invasion  of 
this  city  by  the  British,  Mr.  L.  had  retired  to  the  manor ;  so  repug- 
nant was  it  to  his  lady's  inclinantion,  that  she  resolved  to  abandon 
her  husband  and  home  rather  than  forego  the  gayeties  of  a  city  life, 
and  insisted  on  her  father  taking  her  to  Philadelphia. 

Dr.  S.'s  intimacy  with  Dr.  B.'s  family  induced  him  to  recjue-st  their 
influence  with  his  daughter,  and  prevail  on  her  to  return  with  her 
husband.  In  compliance  with  his  wishes,  they  most  iifTcctionately  en- 
treated her  to  give  up  the  rash  resolve  to  meet  her  husband  no  more 
in  an  earthly  home,  and  pointed  to  the  heroism  of  their  niece. 

This  high-toned  lady  could  not  tolerate  such  eondiscensiou,  nor 
respect  such  passive  women.  She  was  inexorable,  and  all  their  argu- 
ments failed.  This  extraordinaiy  incident  whiled  away  a  few  hours, 
and  by  contrast  enhanced  Mrs.  B.'s  character. 

Early  in  the  morning,  Mrs.  B.  set  off  on  her  journey,  accompa- 
nied by  her  uncle,  about  forty  miles  on  horseliack,  over  a  very  rugged 


288  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

road,  aiul  neither  of  them  accustomed  to  the  mode  of  travel.  The 
parting  with  her  family  was  sad,  and  the  way  was  gloomy.  She  re- 
solved to  make  an  effort  to  cheer  him,  by  recounting  a  series  of 
amusing  anecdotes  peculiar  to  the  times.  As  evening  was  drawing  to 
a  close,  they  were  much  fatigued.  The  last  three  miles  she  fainted 
twice,  and  was  held  upon  her  saddle  by  a  man  till  they  reached  the 
place  of  rest,  where  a  refreshing  sleep  fitted  her  for  new  trials.  Her 
affectionate  uncle  dare  not  venture  beyond  these  bounds,  and  she  bade 
him  adieu  with  a  sad  heart. 

Loneliness  encircled  her  path,  and  tears  flowed  to  her  relief.  Te- 
dious miles  were  passed  over,  and  fruitless  inquiries  were  made  for  a 
conveyance,  till  convinced  her  only  safe  way  was  on  a  baggage  wagon, 
mingling  with  soldiers'  wives.  Meeting  with  one  of  whom,  she  solicited 
a  seat;  the  women  objected,  bawling  aloud  to  the  driver  that  they  were 
"now  too  scrowdged."  He  as  roughly  replied,  they  must  make  room, 
for  his  orders  were  "  to  take  up  all  the  sogers'  women." 

Those  in  the  next  wagon  with  much  civility  admitted  her,  though 
they  were  crowded  to  excess  with  those  of  the  very  lowest  order. 
They  strove  to  be  so  civil,  she  felt  herself  under  a  lucky  planet  by 
having  escaped  from  the  other. 

The  afternoon  was  spent  in  the  most  boisterous  manner ;  at  night- 
fall they  encamped  in  the  woods,  midst  a  darkness  like  "  the  Egyptian, 
which  could  be  felt."  It  was  drizzling  and  chilly,  and  no  cover  for 
their  defenceless  heads.  A  slight  cold  had  affected  her  previously, 
and  the  exposure  caused  a  swollen  face  ;  and  it  was  very  painful.  In 
the  morning,  one  of  the  women  assured  her  it  w^as  the  mumps,  and 
advised  her  to  bandage  it  with  a  handkerchief,  as  sometimes  it  was 
dangerous,  and  they  all  seemed  disposed  to  soothe  her  by  kindness 
and  to  cease  from  their  noisy  mirth.  During  the  ride  she  had  ex- 
pressed no  displeasure  at  their  boisterous  conduct,  nor  of  her  own  in- 
convenience. They  knew  she  was  not  one  of  their  class,  and  were 
pleased  at  her  not  interfering  with  their  amusements. 

In  this  humble  garb,  on  the  top  of  a  baggage  wagon,  midst  a  group 
of  the  lowest  order  of  women,  she  entered  the  city  of  New  York,  where 
she  had  been  educated  and  associated  with  the  most  refined  society. 
Her  thoughts  reverted  to  the  past,  and  made  her  deeply  sensitive  to 
the  present  event.  They  were  all  dismissed  at  the  barracks,  and  went 
in  search  of  their  husbands,  while  she  sought  a  conveyance  to  New 
Jersey. 

In  a  forlorn  condition,  she  wandered  around  to  find  a  boatman  to 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  289 

ferry  her  over.  It  was  so  difficult  a  task  to  cross,  that  noue  were  wil- 
ling to  encounter  the  risk.  At  length  she  met  a  man  of  whom  she 
had  a  faint  recollection.  He  consented  for  a  large  reward,  if  she 
would  meet  him  on  the  wharf  about  midnight. 

In  the  house  of  a  poor  woman,  she  sought  shelter  till  the  appointed 
time.  The  night  was  unfavorable,  and  with  two  men  in  a  boat,  in 
terror  and  almost  despair,  she  was  ferried  over  and  landed  in  the  salt 
marshes,  paying  her  last  two  guineas,  and  left  to  grope  the  dangerous 
way,  sinking  in  the  mire ;  she  was  fearful  of  rising  no  more  till  the 
last  trumpet  sounded. 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

Safely  Landed — Meeting  her  Infant — Captain  L.  hastens  her  on — Contempt  of 
the  Officers — Unsightly  Dress — Apologies — Prosperous  Voyage — Joyful 
Meeting — Charleston— Noble  Lords— Royalty  Tiiumphs — Anecdotes — Rebels 
Revive- Gen.  Green— Sails  to  Nova  Scotia— Their  Arrival— Gloomy  Scenes 
— Usefulness— Visit  to  the  Barracks. 

The  dawn  of  day  favored  her  escape.  A  Jersey  wagon  drove  by, 
and  in  it  she  secured  a  passage  to  Elizabethtown.  Her  child  was  well, 
but  unhappy  in  her  absence.  The  family  were  amazed  to  see  her  in 
such  a  plight,  a  swollen  face,  and  covered  with  mud-draggled  clothes. 
Fatigued  and  really  indisposed,  she  required  refreshment  and  rest ; 
while  the  former  was  preparing,  water  was  brought,  and  she  changed 
her  shoes  and  stockings,  intending  to  rest  a  few  hours  before  arranging 
her  dress. 

The  nurse  had  an  errand  a  mile  distant,  and  Mrs.  B.  urged  her  to 
hasten  back,  as  she  expected  Captain  Lee. 

The  nurse  had  just  left,  when  the  bustling  officer  appeared,  hurry- 
ing her  into  the  vehicle,  sick  and  weary,  not  allowing  her  a  moment 
to  change  her  unsightly  dress ;  nor  could  entreaties  move  him  to  wait 
for  the  nurse. 

However,  he  did  make  an  arrangement  with  the  clever  host  to 
hurry  her  on.  Though  his  manner  was  rough,  the  object  was  kind, 
37 


290  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

to  place  Mrs.  B.  and  her  child  safely  on  board  ship  before  dark.  Her 
mind  was  so  absorbed  by  harassing  scenes  and  fatigue,  suffering 
with  the  pain  of  her  face,  she  was  regardless  of  her  apj)earance,  as  if 
unconscious  of  the  impressions  it  would  make  on  strangers. 

The  ship  was  at  anchor  ready  to  sail  by  morning  light.  It  was 
nearly  dark  as  they  went  on  board,  and  Captain  L.  pushed  her  into 
the  cabin,  and  went  for  the  nurse.  Having  no  introduction,  and  in  so 
mean  a  garb,  she  was  gazed  at  with  the  utmost  disdain. 

The  haughty  officers  and  their  wives  made  many  observations, 
which  awakened  a  sense  of  her  mean  appearance. 

As  they  were  plotting  to  get  rid  of  her,  a  young  officer,  with  a 
full  complement  of  assurance,  said,  "  ^Yliere  are  you  going?"  "  To 
Georgia,  sir."  "  May  I  ask  your  object  ?"  "  To  meet  my  husband." 
"  Is  he  connected  with  the  army  ?"  "  Yes  !"  "  So  you  are,  I  suppose, 
a  soldier's  wife  ?"  "  No  !"  "  To  which  regiment  is  he  attached  ?  and 
what  rank  ?"  She  answered  "  the regiment,  and  his  rank  a  sur- 
geon," with  a  muffled  face,  and  painful  to  speak.  He  did  not  under- 
stand, and  replied  in  a  contemptuous  manner,  "  So  madam,  you  are 
not  a  soldier^s  wife,  but  a  '  sargent's  lady  ?' " 

At  this  remark,  drawing  the  bandage  off,  she  spoke  aloud,  with  a 
scornful  look,  and  said,  "  Neither  am  I  a  sargent's  lady,  but  you  are  a 
British  officer,  and  ought  to  be  a  gentleman.  As  you  see  me  an  un- 
protected female,  your  influence  should  induce  those  present  to  treat 
me  civilly."  They  were  all  amazed  and  silent  for  a  moment.  One 
said,  "  Madam  is  a  keen  one."  "  She  is  rather  smart,"  said  another ; 
"pretty  good  looking,  too."  Then  they  noticed  the  child,  and  at- 
tempted to  caress  her ;  but  the  child  shrunk  from  their  embrace,  seem- 
ing to  feel  her  mother's  displeasure. 

When  the  passengers  entered,  berths  were  selected  and  there  was 
none  for  her.  As  the  captain  of  the  ship  was  applied  to,  he  appeared 
to  know  nothing  about  her.  However,  in  compassion  he  did  his  best 
to  have  a  bed  fixed  on  the  cabin  floor.  There  was  no  alternative  at 
this  late  hour ;  and  even  this  accommodation  to  one  so  wearied  and 
indisposed  invited  a  refreshing  sleep. 

Warmth  and  rest  relieved  the  pain,  and  removed  the  swelling  from 
her  face.  She  was  suddenly  aroused  from  a  sound  nap  by  the  tossing 
of  the  ship,  for  it  blew  a  heavy  gale,  and  some  were  thrown  out  of 
the  berth,  and  all  were  wretchedly  sick.  To  her  discomfort  the  floor 
was  defaced,  and  if  her  plight  in  the  evening  was  mean,  the  morning 
light  presented  her  a  disgusting  figure. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  291 

At  gray  dawn  all  who  could,  arose.  They  were  weighing  anchor 
and  getting  ready  to  sail,  as  Captain  L.  arrived  with  the  nurse,  call- 
ing aloud,  "  Hallo,  captain  !  what  have  you  done  with  my  woman  ?" 
Again  they  eyed  her  sharply.  She  seemed  doomed  to  perplex  them 
and  to  keep  up  an  excitement.     There  was  yet  no  clue  to  her  history. 

When  the  ship  was  under  way  and  regulations  established,  a  state 
room  had  been  secured  for  her,  where  she  made  her  toilet,  and  came 
out  in  the  new  character  of  a  surgeon's  lady.  The  whole  company 
were  astonished,  as  if  a  new  star  had  appeared  to  eclipse  the  cluster. 
Her  face  had  resumed  its  shape,  and  the  gallant  captain  introduced 
her  at  the  eleventh  hour. 

Several  officers  were  on  board,  friends  of  Dr.  D.  B.,  attached  to 
the  same  regiment,  and  they  overwhelmed  her  with  apologies,  and  she 
readily  forgave  them  all.  Her  good  common  sense  attributed  the 
slight  that  passed  to  her  unsightly  dress,  which  induced  them  to  feel 
she  was  an  intruder.  Being  highly  gifted  in  conversation,  she  proved  a 
charming  companion  at  sea.  Her  recent  adventures  were  an  enter- 
taining topic,  and  a  prosperous  voyage  landed  them  safely  at  Sa- 
vannah. 

Adventurous  wanderings,  sorrowing  days,  and  sleepless  nights  had 
embittered  the  years  of  absence,  and  meeting  the  doctor  in  good  health 
to  her  was  unexpected  joy,  affectionately  reciprocated.  Great  success 
awaited  this  detachment  of  the  army.  Soon  they  entered  Charleston 
triumphant  victors.  In  the  zenith  of  their  glory,  they  reveled  in  lux- 
urious living,  masters  of  the  queen  city  of  the  South. 

A  spacious  mansion  was  assigned  to  Dr.  D.  Bancroft,  and  his 
bounteous  table  never  failed  in  guests.  The  skilful  services  and  intel- 
luctual  acquirements  of  the  Dr.  were  highly  appreciated, .  Besides, 
he  was  an  instructive  and  cheerful  comjjanion.  I\Irs.  B.'s  personal 
charms,  intelligence,  and  fascinating  manner  lured  to  their  domicile 
refined  society,  and  the  most  distinguished  of  the  army,  admired  and 
esteemed  by  the  noble  Lords  Cornwallis  and  Rawdon,  gave  her  celeb- 
rity ;  and  perhaps  the  hap})iest  days  of  her  married  life  were  passed 
in  Charleston — if  splendid  living,  added  to  many  gratifications  could 
make  her  happy. 

But  all  this  pleasure  was  ofttimes  mingled  with  i)aini'iil  feeling. 
However  deeply  enlisted  under  the  banner  of  royalty,  with  great  faith 
in  kingly  power,  as  fittest  to  rule  a  nation,  her  heart  was  still  warmed 
by  the  love  of  her  country,  and  yearned  over  many  a  rebel's  tale  of 
woe,  as  their  hard  fate  tingled  in  her  ear.     Melted  into  tears  ol'  sym- 


292  Reminisgenceb  of  Wilminoton. 

pathy,  she  would  burst  forth  in  declamations  against  the  heartlessness 
of  the  powers  that  be. 

This  was  deemed  offensive,  touched  the  honor  of  the  nobles  of  the 
land,  and  drew  from  the  Dr.  an  apology  for  his  lady's  warmth  of  ex- 
pression, declaring  all  her  dearest  relations  had  espoused  the  rebel 
cause. 

This  was  an  epoch  in  which  independence  was  veiled  in  gloom  ; 
defeat  succeeded  defeat ;  battle  and  pestilence  swept  off  its  hundreds, 
on  the  right  and  on  the  left.  The  rebel  army  was  dwindling  away, 
and  too  enfeebled  to  compete  with  a  powerfiil  foe.  Harassing  march- 
es, with  deficiencies  in  military  stores,  resulted  in  disasters,  and  de- 
pressed the  spirits  of  brave  men  who  were  without  sufficient  food  or 
raiment  to  sustain  them  under  the  exposure  of  a  southern  climate. 

His  majesty's  forces  were  fully  aware  of  their  condition  ;  and  they 
being  well  paid,  clothed,  and  fed,  were  exulting  in  the  prospect  of  a 
speedy  conquest.  Tories  were  perpetrating  the  grossest  excesses,  plan- 
tations were  devastated,  and  peaceful  families  driven  from  their  homes, 
penuyless  wanderers,  "  to  seek  a  shelter  in  an  humble  shed  ;"  many 
were  compelled  to  sue  for  protection,  and  be  shielded  under  the  royal 
banner  in  Charleston. 

Of  this  class  were  a  few  patriotic  ladies.  Though  bowed  down  by 
adversities  and  their  humiliating  position,  their  fixedness  of  purpose 
and  patriotism  ofttimes  astonished  the  noble  lords,  in  whose  presence 
even  they  dared  to  make  a  pithy  reply  to  ill-timed  taunts,  or  contemp- 
tuous allusions  to  the  imbecile  rebel  army  ;  with  undaunted  courage 
they  never  flinched  to  avow  their  faith  in  their  ultimate  success,  though 
apparently  they  were  beaten  and  laid  low  in  the  dust. 

Anecdotes  and  heroism  of  women  in  the  South,  in  those  Revolu- 
tionary days,  are  too  numerous  to  be  noticed.  One  now  might  be 
more  than  a  tale  twice  told.  Yet  we  will  venture  to  detail  one  or  two 
of  them,  which  may  have  slipped  into  oblivion,  or  be  new  to  you. 
Col.  Tarleton  had  been  wounded  in  the  hand  by  a  rebel  officer  of  high 
rank.  It  left  an  ugly  scar  on  his  hand,  and  being  vain,  he  took  care 
to  hide  it. 

One  day,  in  conversation  with  a  lady,  he  referred  to  the  sad  con- 
dition of  the  rebel  soldiers,  and  said,  "  What  have  you  to  inspire 
hope?  Only  contrast  the  armies.  One  commanded  by  gentlemen, 
trained  in  military  tactics,  and  consisting  of  well-disciplined  troops. 
The  other,  raw  recruits  from  the  plough  or  workshop,  under  the  com- 
mand of  officers  but  little  better  qualified  for  service.     I  grant  that  a 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  293 

few  of  your  officers  are  gentlemeu,  and  many  brave  men  have 
acted  well  their  part,  but  mostly,  they  are  composed  of  the  former 
class,  and  I  am  pretty  credibly  informed  that  Gen. cannot  dis- 
tinctly write  his  name."  "  Ah !"  said  the  lady,  "  I  never  heard  that ; 
but  be  it  so  ;  it  is  very  evident  he  can  make  his  mark,"  looking  archly 
at  the  scar.  "  You  know,  sir,  that  will  do  in  law."  He  bowed  in 
silence,  and  withdrew. 

Two  officers,  after  a  morning's  ride,  called  to  pay  their  respects  to 
a  lady,  and  the  common  topic  of  the  army  was  discussed.  They  spoke 
of  having  rode  through  her  estate  ;  she  inquired  how  they  were  pleased 
with  the  country,  and  situation  of  her  residence.  Said  one,  "So  well, 
that  I  have  selected  a  place  near  you  for  my  adopted  home,  antl  hope 
we  shall  be  friendly  neighbors." 

The  lady  expressed  surprise,  but  he  went  on  to  say,  "  It  must  be 
owned,  the  rebels  are  subdued,  and  peace  will  be  soon  proclaimed  ; 
confiscated  estates  we  shall  claim  as  our  own  rightful  possession." 

She  replied,  "Sir,  as  conquerors  you  will  never — no,  never,  possess 
one  foot  of  land  in  these  States.  But  it  is  probable,  before  the  contest 
is  decided,  many  of  you  may  require  '  six  feet  by  three ;'  and  should 
any  of  your  friends  select  such  a  portion  of  my  estate,  most  willingly 
I  will  convey  the  title." 

Reverses  soon  altered  the  position  of  the  conflicting  armies.  Great 
sacrifices  were  made  to  aid  the  cause  of  liberty.  The  rebel  soldiers 
became  more  healthy,  noble  examples  of  patriotism  were  recorded, 
and  to  crown  the  brightening  hopes,  Gen.  Green  was  appointed  com- 
mander at  the  South,  and  the  defenceless  patriots  raised  their  drooping 
heads.  The  enemy  saw  on  all  sides  they  were  possessed  only  of  a  tot- 
tering power,  which  must  soon  fall,  and  they  became  irritable  and 
revengeful. 

At  this  crisis  an  event  occurred  to  present  a  victim  for  retaliation. 
The  execution  of  Major  Andre  had  borne  heavily  on  their  indignant 
feelings,  and  their  prosperity  waning  refreshed  the  memory  on  this 
painful  subject.  The  solemn  fate  of  Col.  Hayne  is  too  well  known  to 
repeat. 

"  A  stoiy  should,  to  please,  at  least  seem  true, 
Be  suited  well,  and  told,  concise  and  new." 

Suffice  it  to  say  he  was  the  object  of  vengeance ;  nine  of  his  family 

were  dangerously  ill  with  the  small-pox,  of  whom  Mrs.  H.  and  four 

children  died.     The  deepest  sympathy  was  excited.     All  the  ladies  in 

the  city  signed  the  petition  for  his  pardon.     The  colHn  of  Mrs.  H.  was 

37* 


294  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

brought  before  Lord  Rawdon  to  arouse  a  better  feeling.  All  this  was 
unavailing.  Col.  H.  was  hung.  It  was  said  this  act  was  ever  after 
regretted  by  his  lordship. 

Years  glided  on,  and  his  son,  Col.  Hayne,  had  a  temporary  resi- 
dence in  London  ;  and  being  invited  to  dine  with  the  Duke  of  Sussex, 
as  he  entered  the  hall,  the  first  oly'ect  which  arrested  his  attention  was 
a  full-length  portrait  of  Lord  R.  It  harrowed  up  his  feelings,  and  his 
thoughts  wandered  back  to  other  days. 

Here  we  pause  to  say  memory  fails,  or  dreamy  recollections  of 
touching  incidents  that  would  fill  the  chasm  are  too  faintly  impressed 
to  narrate,  and  we  make  a  sudden  transition  to  the  North. 

Lord  Cornwallis  had  surrendered,  and  peace  drew  near.  The  bark 
scheme  had  failed;  nothing  seemed  to  present  for  the  future,  and  Dr. 
D.  B.  resolved  to  continue  in  His  Majesty's  service.  His  regiment 
was  ordered  to  Nova  k'^cotia.  Ere  the  social  joys  and  balmy  clime  of 
the  South  were  bid  adieu  to,  the  second  infant  daughter  was  presented 
at  the  baptismal  font,  sealed  Carolina,  a  memento  of  her  birth-place 
and  her  parents'  happy  days. 

Towards  the  close  of  autumn,  they  sailed  to  the  wild  stern  shores 
of  their  destination.  The  forces  landed  on  a  chilling  morning.  Na- 
ture was  assuming  its  wintry  garb.  Every  green  thing  was  nipped ; 
the  streams  had  ceased  to  flow,  and  were  thickening  and  frosted  over 
with  glassy  ice.  No  longer  the  beasts  Avere  seen  to  roam,  nor  fowls  to 
flicker,  nor  were  winged  families  soaring  in  the  air  ;  none  tuned  their 
notes  amid  leafless  branches.  No  echo  of  their  cheering  voices  re- 
sounded through  the  immense  forest.  No  sound  save  the  howling 
wind,  in  terrific  grandeur,  among  naked  trees  which  seemed  the  boun- 
dary of  the  northern  world,  where  all  beyond  was  the  frowning  sky. 

The  rugged  way  was  strewed  with  broken  boughs,  even  to  the  very 
w'icket  gate  of  the  lowly  cottage  designed  for  their  abode ;  exhausted 
by  sea  sickness,  and  weariness  in  clambering  over  and  under  fallen 
trees,  sliding  down  and  leaping  from  one  to  another,  with  the  frag- 
ments entangling  their  clothes,  so  as  to  impede  their  progress. 

Under  such  circumstances,  to  find  a  shelter  was  cheering.  Here  a 
frugal  meal  was  easily  prepared,  which  good  appetites  made  savory, 
and  being  refreshed,  invited  rest.  On  retiring,  Mrs.  B.  acknowledged 
her  gratitude  for  the  special  'providence  that  had  guided  them  over 
the  dangerous  seas  and  safely  thrown  them  ashore  to  enjoy  repose. 

"  Blest  be  the  hind  divine,  wliich  gently  laid 
My  heart  at  rest  beneath  this  humble  shed." 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  295 

Ample  bedding  had  been  provided  and  arranged  for  their  comfort, 
and  fuel  abundant  to  warm  an  apartment,  where  the  fresh  air  blew  in 
at  every  crevice.  They  enjoyed  a  sweet  peaceful  sleep  till  the  mor- 
row's dawn. 

The  hurry  and  bustle  of  turning  over  and  examining  a  quantity 
of  baggage,  that  each  one  might  have  their  own,  occupied  the  day. 

When  they  arose  the  next  morning,  the  premises  bore  a  gloomy 
aspect,  surrounded  by  a  dreary  wilderness,  and  the  absence  of  com- 
forts, so  unlike  everything  that  they  had  ever  seen.  They  felt  as  if  a 
sudden  convulsion  of  the  elements  had  cast  them  upon  a  new  planet, 
where  neither  beast  nor  winged  tribes  could  exist,  and  that  man  alone, 
of  all  animal  creation,  ,was  fitted  by  nature  to  atmospheric  changes, 
filike  indifferent  to  every  clime,  whether  to  scale  icy  mountains  of 
frozen  regions,  or  to  pass  through  icebergs,  traverse  the  trackless 
ocean,  or,  under  the  scorching  sun  of  the  tropics,  wander  over  the 
burning  sands  of  the  desert. 

A  dusky  morning  portended  a  gathering  storm,  and  induced  mel- 
ancholy reflections  and  thoughts  of  home.  All  was  hurry  and  bustle 
to  secure  doors  and  windows,  when  thick  clouds  of  blackness  over- 
shadowed the  land,  and  blew  a  hurricane,  threatening  devastation. 
In  a  moment,  every  tenement  seemed  doomed  to  destruction,  and  tin 
the  pelting  rain  and  hail  whither  could  they  flee?  An  awfiil  solem- 
nity pervaded  the  hamlet,  till  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  the  raging 
tempest  bid  it  cease. 

Mrs.  B.'s  nervous  system  was  convulsed ;  a  shivering  seized  her, 
and  an  unusual  sadness.  She  now  saw  her  airy  castles  crumbling  into 
dust.  In  wiping  the  tears  from  her  cheeks,  a  suppressed  sigh  would 
escape,  and  the  doctor  looked  sad  and  was  silent.  Although  she  felt 
so  anxious  to  know  how  long  this  station  was  to  be  endured,  yet  she 
dare  not  ask,  for  any  fixed  time  would  appear  an  age,  and  she  knew 
there  was  no  alternative. 

Some  days  were  employed  in  assorting  baggage,  and  arranging 
this  rude  but  roomy  dwelling,  and  the  aspect  of  the  interior  bright- 
ened, and  her  countenance  was  more  cheerful,  and  her  spirits  calm. 

On  glancing  over  the 'doctor's  well  furnished  library,  and  large 
accessions  of  new  works  received  from  Europe  just  as  they  embarked 
from  Charleston — and  seeing  the  abundant  roots  that  had  been  gath- 
ered in  the  South,  hoarded  up,  besides  an  untold  number  of  gallipots, 
her  heart  sickened  at  the  sight,  for  she  felt  that  the  days  of  her  pil- 
grimage in  this  barren  land  were  not  yet  numbered. 


296  IlEMINISCENCBJti    OF    WILMINGTON. 

Here  was  spare  room  for  ehemical  operations ;  fuel  to  keej)  up  fire 
for  stews ;  and  in  short  every  facility  to  pursue  the  science  which  all 
his  life  had  been  hi.s  hobby.  Moreover,  the  great  advantage  of  seclu- 
sion favored  his  designs,  and  he  entered  into  the  study  with  all  the 
enthusiastic  ardor  of  youth,  regardless  of  the  cares  or  comforts  of  the 
world.     Locality  to  him  was  merely  a  name. 

Mrs.  B.  had  been  trained  in  society,  and  was  fitted  to  adorn  it. 
Early  habits  had  implanted  in  her  a  love  of  the  world,  and  she  felt  it 
had  charms  and  snares  ;  she  concluded  evil  must  mingle  with  the  good, 
and  was  willing  to  endure  her  portion  of  the  one,  and  enjoy  the  other ; 
consequently,  her  thoughts  recoiled  from  the  idea  of  living  as  a  recluse. 

In  this  sequestered  spot,  lonely  hours  would  renew  reminiscences  of 
early  days  and  absent  ones,  and  scenes  of  youth  often  crowded  her 
imagination  and  gave  a  sombre  tint  to  her  evening  meditations.  Her 
arrival  at  the  solitary  farm  house  in  New  Jersey  would  rise  up  before 
her,  and  her  lacerated  feelings  when  she  bade  the  doctor  adieu,  as 
fanatics  hurled  him  to  prison  for  opinion's  sake,  and  the  dread  of 
meeting  him  no  more.  Amid  these  gloomy  forebodings  and  loneli- 
ness, an  evil  hour  had  come. 

In  the  bloom  of  youth,  she  was  cast  off  by  her  dearest  relatives, 
in^perienced  in  the  world  ;  and  years  glided  on  in  this  retreat,  where 
sorrow  crossed  her  path,  and  oft  bore  heavily  on  her  head.  No  books 
were  there  to  amuse  a  tedious  hour,  nor  companions  but  the  rustic  in- 
mates, so  uncongenial  to  her.  Yet  even  there  she  had  enjoyed  happy 
days,  and  a  portion  of  content  was  mingled  in  her  cup. 

The  absence  of  books,  so  deeply  regretted,  had  produced  its  happy 
effect,  inducing  her  to  read  and  study  carefully  individual  character 
with  as  much  assiduity  as  if  she  was  searching  for  hidden  treasure. 
Yet  in  this  underrated  family  were  found  gems  beyond  price.  In 
coarse  clay  tenements,  lay  hidden  hearts  which,  if  polished,  might 
adorn  the  palace.  In  their  midst,  as  the  child  of  adversity  and  sor- 
row, feelings  were  aroused  that  would  have  ennobled  any  state,  and 
called  forth  her  gratitude,  to  cement  a  friendship  only  to  be  dissolved 
in  death. 

On  a  dark  rainy  night,  in  the  woods,  on  a  baggage  wagon,  crowded 
by  the  very  dregs  of  society,  whose  boisterous  vulgarity  melted  her 
into  nothing,  even  there  a  spark  of  human  kindness  enkindled  in 
their  bosoms,  warmth  to  shield  her  from  the  damp,  when  they  saw  she 
was  suffering  pain  produced  by  exposure,  and  they  ceased  their  noisy 
mirth. 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  -297 

In  all  her  perilous  ways,  she  owned  a  providential  care,  guiding 
her  safely  through  ;  and  to  her  Almighty  Benefactor  her  heart  oft- 
times  glowed  with  gratitude,  and  she  resolved  no  more  to  murmur  or 
repine,  but  strive  to  be  useful  in  her  station,  and  be  therewith  content. 

Fully  convinced  of  her  indebtedness  to  that  class,  she  resolved  to 
render  to  such  some  essential  good,  and  the  soldiers'  wives  at  the  bar- 
racks claimed  her  attention.  On  the  movx0i  she  designed  to  visit 
those,  and  enter  into  new  duties.  Retiring  with  unusual  solemnity, 
the  night  passed  in  sweet  repose,  and  the  renewed  morning  opened 
with  a  clear  and  bracing  air. 

Or  if,  during  the  day,  the  sun  was  seen  struggling  in  misty  clouds, 
its  momentary  escape  cheered  this  desolate  region.  "  Truly  the  light  is 
sweet,  and  a  pleasant  thing  it  is  to  behold  the  sun."  Mrs.  B.'s  destiny 
no  longer  depressed  her,  yet  she  was  sensitive  to  the  absence  of  natural 
beauties  to  charm  the  eye  and  animate  the  heart.  This  was  a  mem- 
orable day,  and  opened  one  of  the  most  magnificent  spectacles  Mrs.  B. 
ever  beheld. 

Many  a  lofty  tree  had  been  shorn  of  its  leafless  boughs  by  the 
recent  storm,  which  scattered  them  to  the  winds,  and  left  the  more 
tender  branches  to  hang  wildly  waving  to  the  gentler  breeze,  fanci- 
fully adorned  by  the  nightly  frost,  and  gilded  by  the  beams  of  the 
glorious  sun  as  it  arose  in  grandeur ;  and  the  whole  firmament  ap- 
peared a  brilliantly  illuminated  archway,  glittering  over  the  bound- 
less forest,  seeming  to  bend  'neath  the  falling  stars,  or  jets  of  diamonds 
spouted  down  to  carpet  the  earth,  sparkling  beneath  the  feet  portray- 
ing the  majesty  of  Omnipotence,  at  whose  bidding  the  desert  will 
blossom  as  the  rose. 

This  sublime  display  of  the  heavenly  orb  surpassed  all  description, 
and  Mrs.  B.,  ever  an  admirer  of  celestial  views,  was  enraptured,  and 
glided  over  the  icy  way  to  the  garrison  with  an  imagination  as  clastic 
as  her  footsteps.  She  felt  a  guardian'  angel  was  guiding  her  to  the 
spot  to  pay  her  debt  of  gratitude  so  long  due. 

"Friendship,  mysterious  cement  of  the  soul, 
Sweetener  of  life,  aud  solder  of  society, 
I  owe  thee  much.    Thou  hast  deserved  from  me 
Far,  far  beyoud  what  I  cau  never  pay." 

On  approaching  the  enclosure,  they  saw  the  women  running  to  and 
fro,  peeping  through  the  embrasures.     Curiosity  was  on  tiptoe.     Soon 
voices  were  heard.    One  said,  "  Surely  the  surgeon's  lady  is  not  com- 
38 


298  REMINiaOENCEB    OF    WILMINGTON. 

ing  here !"    Said  another  coarse  voice,  "  Where  else  can  she  go  in 
such  a  barren  place  ?" 

A  large  hall  was  the  entrance  where  these  women  had  assembled, 
and  were  in  much  confusion.  When  Mrs.  B.  advanced,  and  her  sol- 
dier guide  with  a  basket  on  his  arm,  a  few  bold  ones  looked  inquisi- 
tively, ready  to  demand  the  object  of  her  visit.  Others  shyly  hung 
their  heads,  and  not  a  few  were  slipping  out  of  her  way. 

At  once  she  disclosed  the  design  of  her  visit,  and  expressed  so 
much  interest  in  their  welfare,  that  her  mild  and  dignified  manner 
commanded  respectful  attention.  Few  words  passed  at  this  interview, 
yet  each  one  was  noticed,  and  a  few  seemed  overpowered  by  the  beau- 
teous morning,  and  their  exclamations  impressed  Mrs.  B.  favorably  to 
repeat  her  visit.     Their  own  dislike  to  the  station  was  evident. 

Time  winged  its  way  so  imperceptibly,  that,  on  her  return  dinner 
was  waiting.  The  doctor's  spirits  were  exhilarated  by  the  magnificent 
display  of  the  morning,  and  the  children  were  joyous — the  elder 
one  was  of  an  age  to  observe,  and  endowed  with  an  inquiring  mind, 
cultivated  by  her  parents — had  much  to  tell  of  the  great  sight,  and 
was  sure  it  was  the  "  burning  bush"  that  Moses  saw,  for  it  burned  so 
long  and  did  not  consume  the  trees.  Then  she  inquired  how  far  it 
was  to  "  Mount  Horeb." 

It  was  more  than  a  month  since  the  family  group  had  assembled 
for  conversation  or  amusement,  and  such  an  enlivening  scene  was  a 
jubilee  in  Nova  Scotia,  where  clouds  and  darkness  had  reigned  tri- 
umphant, and  they  seemed  once  more- to  be  under  a  new  planet. 

Amid  this  cheerfulness  Mrs.  B.  found  it  no  easy  task  to  recount 
her  morning's  excursion,  aware  it  would  not  accord  with  the  doctor's 
idea  of  propriety.  But  it  was  a  duty  she  must  perform,  and  happily 
this  was  the  moment.  The  doctor  was  astounded,  deeming  it  a  rash  ad- 
venture. In  alluding  to  the  martial  spirit  which  pervaded  the  camp, 
and  how  those  amazons  often  killed  time  in  skirmishes,  ending  in  sore 
bruises  and  black  eyes,  his  remarks  were  humorous  and  amusing, 
warning  madame  to  beware  of  frequent  interviews,  lest  she  should 
mingle  in  such  sports  and  mar  the  pleasure  of  her  visits  by  requiring 
his  surgical  skill.  Then  observed,  had  she  overstepped  the  bounds  of 
etiquette  it  might  not  have  surprised  him,  as  he  knew  her  fondness  for 
company.  But  he  was  never  more  amazed  than  when  he  heard  Mrs. 
B.  had  entered  the  ranks,  to  associate  with  soldier's  women. 

Madame  was  pretty  shrewd  in  her  replies.  His  odd  fancies  and 
Yankee  notions  in  his  study  were  playfully  exhibited.    However,  he 


BEMINI8CENCE8    OF   WILMINGTON.  299 

yielded  to  her  entreaties  to  visit  the  barracks,  by  compromise — but  no 
one  was  to  disturb  his  bivouac,  nor  touch  his  fixtures,  where  he  was  to 
reign  a  monarch  o'er  heaps  and  pile  upon  pile  of  musty  roots.  The 
gathering  dust  might  add  weight  to  the  relics.  Neither  was  a  brush 
to  molest  the  clan  of  hairy-legged  spiders,  or  to  disturb  their  ingenious 
labors  in  spinning  fanciful  webs,  till  majesty  extended  the  golden 
sceptre. 

The  evening  was  whiled  away  so  agreeably  that  the  knell  of  time 
warned  them  of  the  tenth  hour.  Rain,  hail,  and  sleet  rendered  the 
following  day  most  unpleasant — Mrs.  B.  was  fully  occupied  with  do- 
mestic duties. 

In  the  South,  an  intimacy  had  been  cultivated  with  a  few  of  the 
officers'  ladies  who  were  in  this  station,  and  those  claimed  morning 
calls.  The  inclement  season  had  prevented  any  friendly  intercourse, 
and  this  visit  was  most  acceptable,  yet  they  expressed  much  surprise  at 
her  braving  the  intense  cold;  while  they,  clad  in  woollens  and  furs,  were 
hovering  around  a  large  fire,  so  sensitive  to  the  bleak  winds,  that  every 
crevice  was  stopped.  Some  of  those  ladies  were  educated  in  affluence 
and  acquired  luxurious  habits,  and  the  sudden  transition  from  a  warm 
climate, 

"  'Twas  a  hard  change,  an  evil  time  had  come, 
We  had  no  hope— and  no  relief  could  gai^." 

To  all  such,  it  was  indeed  a  desolate  land,  and  their  theme  of  con- 
versation were  bitter  regrets,  especially  as  there  was  no  limited  time  for 
their  sojourn — weeping  and  mourning  over  their  gloomy  abode. 

In  vain  Mrs.  B.  strove  to  cheer  them,  and  left  in  sadness  to  make 
her  way  home  over  the  rugged  pathway,  meditating  on  the  diversified 
characters  presented  in  this  small  district,  conscious  of  her  own  foibles 
of  repining  and  murmuring,  as  the  mantle  of  gloom  enwrapt  her 
domicil.  She  resolved  to  fit  her  heart  and  home  for  the  i-eccption  of 
the  feeblest  ray  of  light  or  hope  that  might  creep  in  to  warm  and 
cheer  the  inmates,  fully  convinced  that  real  or  imaginary  woes  were 
increased  by  pondering  over  the  dark  side. 

The  third  visit  contemplated  was,  to  a  class  much  more  pitiable ; 
refugees,  who  clung  to  royalty  in  the  Revolution,  and  fled  hither, 
leaving  country,  friends,  and  wealth,  with  slender  means  of  subsist- 
ence. Their  estates  were  confiscated,  and  here  they  were  poor  and 
dependent,  martyrs  to  the  cause  of  royalty  on  a  barren  soil — on  all 
those,  privations  and  disappointed  hopes  bore  heavily.     Some  had  fled 


300  REMINiaCENGES    OF    WiLMINOTON. 

through  fear,  having  no  desire  to  espouse  either  side.  Others  were 
prompted  by  mercenary  motives.  Each  class  were  now  indulging  in 
sad  despair.  A  goodly  number  of  Friends  mingled  in  this  motley 
group,  to  fill  up  the  variety  of  character. 

The  morning  was  clear  for  this  excursion,  and  Mrs.  B.  set  out  with 
her  faithful  soldier  guide,  to  visit  those  neglected  exiles,  by  whom  she 
was  graciously  received.  For  the  improvement  of  their  condition, 
there  was  no  apparent  prospect.  Discontent  and  murmuring  were 
unanimous  in  the  private  cabin  and  in  the  military  station.  It  seemed 
unavailing  to  strive  to  soothe  their  drooping  spirits  or  pour  oil  in  a 
wounded  heart.  This  class,  more  than  others,  aroused  the  sympa- 
thies of  Mrs.  B. 

On  her  way  home,  with  theirs  she  measured  her  own  position,  and 
found  it  by  far  the  most  eligible.  In  looking  to  the  future  in  her  own, 
there  was  much  to  inspire  hope,  and  her  mind  was  fully  bent  on  being 
useful  in  this  station,  in  which  Providence  had  placed  her. 

And  as  Gideon  was  the  name  of  her  soldier  guide,  by  the  blessing 
of  God  she  was  untiring  in  her  efforts,  "  whether  the  fleece  be  dry,  or 
watered  by  the  dews  of  heaven."  In  all  her  wanderings  she  had  been 
protected  by  an  invisible  hand,  and  mercifully  sustained. 


OHAPTEE    XXXI. 

A  fortnight  passed— Resolution— Mrs.  B.  studies  medicine — Coarse  fare— Dis- 
content—Stores  arrive— Energy — Popularity— Amusing  incidents — Improve- 
ments—News fi-om  London — Sails  for  Boston— Explores  the  States— Wil- 
mington selected— Black  'oak  bark  exported— Death  of  Dr.  B.— ]Mi-s.  B.'s 
residence  in  Virginia — Devoted  to  Slaves. 

A  DREARY  fortnight  had  gone  since  they  first  trod  these  rugged 
shores.  In  the  south,  many  hours  were  spent  in  compounding  and 
weighing  drugs  to  aid  the  Dr.,  and  she  had  paid  strict  attention  to  the 
art,  and  made  some  progress,  besides  acquiring  a  smattering  of  Latin. 
This  evening  she  was  impressed  that  the  study  of  medicine  was  clearly 
pointed  out  as  a  duty  in  which  she  could  most  effectually  serve  that 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington  301 

class  of  beings.  Dr.  D.  B.  was  consulted  and  acquiesced.  He  thought 
it  was  an  admirable  idea  to  occupy  so  active  a  mind,  even  were  not  a 
human  being  benefitted. 

Leisure,  books,  and  an  emiuent  professor  facilitated  the  study, 
arduously  pursued  for  two  years  or  more,  during  the  time  of  their  so- 
journ in  Nova  Scotia,  where  much  practical  knowledge  was  gained  on 
attending  women  at  the  garrison ;  and  testimony  was  borne  to  her 
skill  and  judgment,  and  also  to  acts  of  charity  and  mercy ;  and  in 
streams  of  happiness  a  sweet  reward  flowed  into  her  own  bosom,  which 
turned  this  wilderness  into  a  pleasant  land  cultivated  by  benevolent 
acts  which  had  a  salutary  effect  upon  others. 

Luxuries  were  unknown  here,  and  their  daily  fare  was  coarse. 
Being  used  to  such,  the  privation  of  many  things  was  sul)mitted  to 
without  a  murmur.  But  the  want  of  good  bread  was  sorely  felt,  as 
they  had  to  feed  on  coarse,  tough  biscuit  or  unleavened  cakes.  Out 
of  this  trivial  matter  grew  much  discontent.  Like  the  Israelites  of 
old,  who  longed  for  the  fleshpots  of  Egypt,  and  loathed  the  manna  it 
the  wilderness,  and  murmured  against  Moses  ;  so  these  people  longed 
for  the  fat  of  that  land,  once  their  sweet  home,  and  loathed  the  un- 
leavened bread,  and  murmured  against  their  rules. 

,  Their  destitution  was  proclaimed  to  the  ear  of  royalty  with  effect. 
Stores  arrived  at  this  crisis.  They  were  remembered  by  absent  and 
unknown  friends.  Many  packages  were  welcomed.  Mrs.  B.'s  pres- 
ents contained  a  most  desirable  offering,  portable  yeast,  with  the  re- 
ceipt to  prepare  it ;  and  the  donor  was  no  less  a  personage  than  the 
Queen  of  England.  This  was  cheering,  and  without  delay,  a  quantity 
was  set  to  rise. 

Women  were  called  from  the  barracks — to  them  was  given  a  por- 
tion of  leaven  and  flour  to  bake  early  in  the  morning.  When  all 
was  ready,  Mrs.  B.  with  Gideon  and  other  soldiers,  their  l)askets 
loaded  with  bread,  went  to  the  oflScers'  families  to  distribute  a  portion, 
while  the  women  liberally  served  the  ranks.  Cheerful  faces  and 
grateful  hearts  cordially  greeted  them.  On  the  morrow  the  refugee 
families  received  their  portion  from  Mrs.  B. 

Three  days  were  spent  in  distributing  bread,  and  those  wore  days 
of  feasting,  joy,  and  gladness,  and  this  simple  incident  foreboded  much 
good,  and  brightened  every  object.  To  Mrs.  li.,  it  was  a  moiu<n-able 
event,  and  those  three  days  were  deemed  among  the  hapi)iest  of  her 
life.  In  many  a  sad  moment  afterwards  her  heart  was  soothed  and 
cheered  by  the  reflection  of  that  trifling  incident. 
38* 


302  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

Spring  was  opening,  and  the  Dr.  spent  much  time  in  searching  for 
roots.  Mrs.  B.  often  was  his  companion  in  the  woods,  from  the  rising 
to  the  setting  sun.  The  first  green  thing  discovered  was  wood  sorrel, 
under  a  log  covered  with  leaves.  The  acid  was  so  delightful  to  taste, 
Mrs.  B.  gathered  a  quantity,  stewed  and  seasoned  it  as  green  apples, 
and  made  pies,  so  rare  that  these  were  relished  as  a  delicious  morsel, 
and  the  news  flew  through  the  colony  with  increasing  demands  on  her 
for  small  pieces  to  taste,  and  Mrs.  B.  was  celebrated  as  a  pastry  cook ; 
for  her  pies  were  unrivaled  in  excellence ;  her  recipes  were  copied  out 
over  and  over,  for  them. 

The  Dr.  was  exceedingly  amused  at  his  wife's  culinary  fame,  which 
he  had  never  discovered,  and  she  confessed  that  the  pies  were  an  ex- 
periment which  made  such  a  hubbub  in  this  little  world  and  incited 
ludicrous  scenes. 

Ladies  hitherto  shrinking  from  the  chilling  winds,  or  even  a  balmy 
breeze,  would  hie  to  the  forest  in  scores,  be  exposed  to  the  dews  and 
torn  by  briers,  scratching  over  dead  leaves  and  scattered  branches  for 
wood  sorrel,  with  all  the  energy  of  the  men  at  the  gold  diggings  in 
California. 

Excitement  was  a  preventive  to  colds,  and  exercise  created  appe- 
tite and  invited  refreshing  sleep,  and  a  better  temperament  was  the 
consequent  effect.  The  country  was  assuming  a  more  enlivening  as- 
pect, though  vegetation  was  slow  in  putting  forth  buds.  The  favor- 
able change  excited  emulation  in  each  one  to  improve  their  home. 
Trees  and  shrubbery  were  planted,  gardens  plotted  and  vegetables 
cultivated  ;  all  were  aroused  from  their  slumbers. 

In  this  improving  state  of  the  colony,  strange  news  arrived,  very 
mysterious,  yet  true.  Letters  were  written  by  Dr.  Edward  Bancroft, 
of  London,  who  had  retired  to  France  during  the  contest  with  Ameri- 
ca ;  stating  that  he  was  now  reinstated  in  royal  favor  and  his  patent 
right  renewed  for  seven  years.  Dr.  D.  B.'s  speedy  removal  to  the 
United  States  was  urged,  where  he  must  travel  over  the  land  and 
select  the  most  eligible  location  for  the  exportation  of  the  Black  Oak 
Bark,  for  the  yellow  dye.  The  Dr.  resigned  his  commission  and  pre- 
pared once  more  to  cross  the  ocean. 

Mrs.  B.  was  overjoyed,  anticipating  the  pleasure  of  embracing  her 
dearest  relatives  on  her  native  soil.  Yet  in  her  checkered  life — 
whether  a  city  mansion  or  a  lowly  cabin  in  the  wilderness  was  her 
abode — even  a  tent  in  a  camp — or  tossed  on  the  ocean — there  was 
some  attraction  to  regret  on  taking  a  final  leave,  and  individuals  to 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  303 

bid  farewell  to — even  among  the  lowest  order,  that  would  excite  a 
tender  feeling  and  a  falling  tear. 

Here  was  no  visible  attraction,  but  the  last  look  on  her  destitute 
cottage  was  sad,  and  taking  leave  of  those  for  whose  welfare  all  her 
powers  had  been  exerted,  and  with  success,  too,  in  their  moral  im- 
provement. The  parting  was  solemn.  They  were  sorrowing  because 
they  should  see  her  face  no  more. 

The  accidental  residence  of  Mrs.  Bancroft  among  the  rude  settlers 
of  Nova  Scotia,  in  the  cold  and  uncultivated  regions  of  the  north,  and 
her  services  to  them,  both  in  the  improvement  of  their  minds,  and  of 
their  domestic  life,  may  most  probably  recall  to  ray  young  friends  the 
account  they  have  so  frequently  read  of  the  banishment  of  Telemachus 
among  the  shepherds  of  Egypt. 

In  numbering  her  days  in  Nova  Scotia,  more  happiness  than  sor- 
row was  mingled  in  her  lot.  Many  trials  had  beset  her  way.  Yet, 
she  was  fully  convinced,  more  happiness  than  misery  was  allotted  to 
man.  Each  one  had  their  portion  of  good  and  evil.  If  the  good  was 
cherished,  the  evil  would  wither  and  pass  away  as  the  evening  shadow. 

At  Saint  Johns,  they  embarked  for  Boston,  and  had  a  pleasant 
voyage ;  there  the  Dr.  had  relatives,  and  Mrs.  B.'s  reception  was  so 
kind,  the  Dr.  was  induced  to  leave  his  family,  while  he  explored  the 
Eastern  States.  As  it  occupied  more  of  his  time  than  was  expected, 
Mrs.  B,  often  accompanied  him — and  in  the  North,  she  was  his  con- 
stant companion.  Her  visit  in  the  city  of  New  York,  to  her  uncle's 
family,  was  transient ;  their  having  been  so  recently  opposed  to  the 
Dr.,  an  introduction  was  not  thought  advisable ;  no  unkind  feeling  was 
evinced,  and  a  pleasing  reconciliation  was  anticipated. 

Philadelphia  Avas  their  residence,  while  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
was  carefully  traveled  over.  During  the  war,  the  whole  South  was 
passed  through,  but  Delaware  being  so  narrow  a  strip,  was  easily  over- 
stept,  into  Maryland. 

By  invitation  of  Daniel  Heath,  Esq.,  they  were  nearly  two  months 
guests  at  his  hospitable  mansion.  In  his  tour,  the  Dr.  was  accompa- 
nied by  a  gentleman  from  each  section  of  this  State.  In  the  mean- 
time, Mr.  and  Miss  Vining  made  a  visit  to  Mr.  Heath's  family ;  as  Dr. 
D.  B.'s  pursuits  were  a  theme  of  conversation,  Mr.  V.  became  inter- 
ested, and  advised  the  Dr.,  before  he  decided  on  a  permanent  situation, 
to  visit  Delaware. 

He  acquiesced — and  he  accompanied  Mr.  Vining  to  Wilmington. 
These  two  gentlemen  soon  rode  over  the  State,  and  his  months  of  la- 


304  Reminiscences  op  Wilmington. 

borious  research,  and  wanderings,  were  here  crowned  with  success. 
Thus  we  disclose  the  connecting  link  in  our  chain  of  narrative. 

Dr.  D.  B.'s  exploring  expedition,  in  detail,  may  not  suit  the  fancy  , 
of  all,  yet  a  few  will  no  doubt  estimate  the  motive,  to  show  by  authen- 
tic facts,  that  valuable  and  useful  articles  of  trade,  are  the  produce  of 
Delaware. 

Black  Oak  Bark,  now  the  Quercitron  Bark  of  the  export  trade, 
was  first  sent  out  from  Wilmington  to  England  by  one  of  the  discov- 
erers of  this  yellow  dye,  and  after  a  fair  investigation  of  the  thirteen 
States,  Delaware  had  the  precedence. 

Here  we  will  state  a  singular  coincidence.  Tw^o  of  the  greatest 
chemists  of  the  time  selected  Wilmington  for  an  abiding  place,  one 
from  England  in  the  last  century,  the  other  from  France.  John  James 
Ullman,  Esq.,  early  in  the  present  century. 

In  1786  or  1787,  Dr.  D.  B.  occupied  the  house  on  Quaker  Hill, 
now  in  possession  of  Benj.  Ferris,  and  engaged  largely  in  the  exporta- 
ion  of  the  bark.  His  mind  was  too  much  absorbed  in  scientific  works 
to  bend  to  business,  for  which  he  had  no  tact. 

He  was  easily  imposed  on ;  plausible  and  flattering  promises  often 
drew  from  him  large  sums  of  money  in  advance  for  bark,  which 
proved  a  failure — not  having  had  a  proper  inspection,  his  shipments 
were  made  and  condemned  in  England.  Such  remissness  had  to  be 
accounted  for  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  and  proved  a  heavy  loss. 
On  the  other  side  great  profits  flowed  in  streams  to  benefit  the  impor- 
tation there. 

Mrs.  B.'s  personal  appearance  and  character  have  been  exempli- 
fied ;  living  in  extremes  of  climate  and  exposure  ;  yet,  on  her  arrival 
here  few  could  believe  her  beauty  had  faded,  or  that  the  vicissitudes 
in  life  had  withered  her  attractions ;  she  was  admired  and  caressed. 
Preceding  parts  of  her  narrative  state  her  wanderings,  and  the  diver- 
sified characters  with  whom  she  seemed  doomed  to  mingle,  unprotected 
in  society,  and  in  solitude ;  yet,  she  averred  none  treated  her  rudely, 
nor  was  she  ever  subject  to  insult.  The  trifling  incident  on  board  the 
ship  was  a  solitary  case  of  incivility. 

During  a  residence  of  twelve  years  or  more  in  this  town,  trials  and 
crosses  were  endured,  that  if  related  by  a  fanciful  pen,  would  vie  with 
many  a  tale  of  romance.  Though  the  incidents  are  fresh  in  memory 
we  will  leave  them  to  pass  into  oblivion,  and  hasten  to  the  conclusion 
of  our  narrative,  now  far  beyond  the  lines  we  had  prescribed. 

Two  daughters  have  been  alluded  to.     One  more  was  born  in  Wil- 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  305 

miugton.  The  eldest  was  a  handsome  brunette,  and  an  elegant  figure. 
Four  lines,  quoted  by  a  gentleman,  on  his  introduction  to  her,  accord 
so  well  with  the  opinion  of  many,  they  may  suffice. 

"  Her  form  is  perfect  elegance. 

Her  face  the  image  of  a  heavenly  mind, 
Her  mamiers  true — the  effect  of  genuine  sense, 
Like  nature  and  like  art  refined." 

In  1796,  she  married  young,  and  went  to  Virginia,  accompanied 
by  her  sister,  who  was  very  fair  and  handsome :  though  smaller,  she 
had  a  fine  form,  and  was  too  sensitive  to  the  changing  scenes  of  life. 
The  elder  was  dignified,  self-possessed,  and  seemed  fitted  to  encounter 
adverse  events — and  many  were  mingled  in  her  cup. 

The  elder  son  of  Dr.  E.  B.,  of  London,  had  traveled  through  the 
United  States,  and  was  on  a  visit  to  his  nucle,  and  one  of  the  bridal 
party.  At  the  close  of  the  year,  he  was  to  sail  for  England.  John 
Vaughan,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  was  his  father's  agent,  and  gave  a 
dinner  party  before  he  embarked.  His  uncle  was  a  guest,  and  sat 
down  to  table  apparently  in  perfect  health.  Ere  its  viands  were 
carved,  he  fell  in  an  apoplectic  fit,  and  when  he  was  raised  from  the 
floor  his  pulse  had  ceased  to  beat,  and  the  lamp  of  life  to  burn. 

The  winter  of  the  doctor's  decease,  Mrs.  B.  boarded  in  Philadel- 
phia, Her  youngest  daughter  had  entered  her  seventh  year,  and  was 
a  sprightly  and  sensible  child.  A  few  of  her  witty  remarks  are  fresh 
in  memory. 

The  lady  of  the  house  had  no  children,  and  was  too  exacting  of 
others.  On  taking  leave  and  affectionately  admonishing  this  one,  she 
said,  "  Mary,  you  are  a  sensible,  and  a  very  pretty  little  girl,  but  you 
have  not  won  my  affection,  nor  do  I  believe  you  will  win  the  love  of 
others,  as  you  have  so  independent  a  spirit,  and  seem  to  care  so  little 
for  the  world  or  anything  in  it."  On  listening  attentively  to  Mrs.  D. 
C.'s  advice,  she  replied,  "  Very  true,  madam.  I  have  read  in  the  book 
mamma  says  was  written  for  our  instruction  and  guide  in  life,  that  we 
are  not  to  care  for  this  world,  nor  the  things  thereof" 

On  the  anniversary  of  her  ninth  year,  she  observed,  "  I  never  saw 
the  sun  arise  in  such  splendor  as  this  morning.  It  awoke  me,  and 
shone  so  bright  and  cheering  on  my  liirthday,  that  I  felt  it  to  be  a  re- 
proof for  my  disobedience,  and  resolved  never  wifully  to  offend  any 
one.  Then  I  can  shine  too,  and  cheer  all  around  me,  by  being  dutilul 
and  good.  And,  ray  dear  mamma,  I  will  strive  to  be  i)repared  to  be 
your  companion  and  friend,  as  my  sisters  were." 
39 


306  REMINI8GENCEB    OF    WILMINGTON. 

Being  an  inmate  of  our  family  for  months,  her  good  intentions 
were  adhered  to.  At  times  she  had  been  disagreeably  wild  and  rude. 
From  this  day  she  became  an  exceedingly  interesting  and  amiable 
little  girl. 

In  the  Autumn  of  1797,  during  the  prevalence  of  yellow  fever  in 
Philadelphia,  the  younger  son  of  Dr.  E.  B.,  of  London,  who  was  Sur- 
geon-General to  his  Britannic  Majesty's  forces  in  the  West  Indies,  was 
making  a  tour  through  the  United  States,  and  visited  his  aunt  in  Wil- 
mington, and  in  compliance  with  his  father's  request,  invited  Mrs.  B^ 
and  her  daughters  to  accompany  him  to  London,  and  make  it  their 
permanent  abode.  Her  married  daughter  was  too  strong  a  tie  to 
sever,  and  this  advantageous  offer  was  declined.  However,  she  did 
accompany  him  to  Boston,  and  visited  their  relatives. 

Having  long  contemplated  a  visit  to  her  daughter,  she  set  ofF  in 
the  Autumn  of  1798  to  Vii'ginia,  uncertain  of  her  future  destiny.  Her 
youngest  daughter,  near  ten  years  of  age,  was  her  companion. 

The  following  Summer,  Miss  B.,  a  beautiful  girl  of  eighteen,  her 
second  daughter,  on  a  bridal  party,  was  riding,  and  they  alighted  at  a 
gentleman's  mansion,  where  refreshments  were  offered.  Twelve  per- 
sons partook  freely  of  preserved  plums  with  impunity.  Miss  B.  grew 
sick  and  was  taken  home. 

A  physician  was  called  in,  and  the  next  day  it  was  announced  to 
her  mother  she  was  poisoned.  Inquiry  was  made  what  she  had  eaten. 
The  plums  were  examined,  and  having  been  preserved  in  a  copper 
kettle  affected  her  stomach,  previously  diseased.  Her  sufferings  were 
agonizing  for  three  weeks,  when  she  expired.  She  was  in  the  bloom 
of  youth  and  loveliness,  and  "was  her  mother's  friend  and  companion. 
Of  all  her  trials  none  bore  so  heavy  or  bowed  her  so  low,  for  no  tears 
came  to  her  relief.     Her  beloved  Harriet  Carolina  was  no  more. 

"  Cold  ell-ops  the  tear  which  blazons  common  woe — 
What  caUous  rock  retains  its  crystal  lill  ? 
Ne'er  will  the  softened  mould  its  liquid  show  : 
Deep  sink  the  waters  that  are  smooth  and  still. 

"  Oh !  when  subUmely  agonized  I  stood, 

And  memory  gave  her  beauteous  frame  a  sigh, 

While  feehng  triumphed  in  my  heart's  warm  blood, 

Grief  drank  the  offering  ere  it  reached  the  eye." 

When  a  few  more  years  had  gone,  her  youngest  daughter  married ; 
from  early  life  she  had  walked  in  religion's  ways,  and  was  an  exem- 
plary and  consistent  Christian,  with  whom  her  mother  spent  her  latter 


Reminiscences  of  Wilmington.  307 

years  in  jieace  and  happiness ;  though  a  permanent  home  in  the  Soutli 
was  not  in  accordance  with  her  Avishes.     But  it  was  her  fate. 

Mrs.  B.  being  inimical  to  slavery,  she  was  conscious  of  prejudice. 
Yet  she  was  just — and  averred,  that  in  a  long  sojourn  in  their  midst, 
neither  cruelty  nor  ill-treatment  beset  her  way,  more  than  was  exhibited 
towards  others  in  a  like  station  in  free  States,  where  much  more  labor 
was  exacted,  and  in  general  where  the  blacks  were  less  cared  for  by 
the  employer. 

As  Virginia  was  her  future  abode,  this  class  of  the  human  family 
claimed  her  unwearied  attentions,  and  there  was  ample  scope  to  labor 
for  their  welfare  and  moral  improvement.  In  1808,  in  a  visit  to  her 
friends  here,  many  interesting  incidents  were  recounted  of  her  efforts 
to  do  them  good,  and  though  not  often  successful,  she  continued  to 
persevere. 

Her  son-in-law,  M.  Turpin,  owned  a  tract  of  laud  with  four  hun- 
dred slaves,  distant  four  miles  from  his  residence ;  many  of  those  were 
too  old  to  labor,  and  numbers  too  young.  Such  swarms  to  be  fed  and 
clothed,  consumed  the  annual  crop,  the  failure  of  which  incurred  a 
heavy  debt.  Yet  master  said  "  old  family  servants  could  not  be  dis- 
posed of,  while  there  was  land  to  sustain  them." 

Mrs.  B.'s  medical  knowledge  was  important,  and  her  services  In 
constant  requisition,  unless  domestic  duties  had  higher  claims  or  in- 
clement weather  proved  a  hindrance.  Every  morning  she  rode  around 
this  farm,  visited  each  quarter,  and  gave  a  word  in  season,  not  passing 
the  laborer  in  the  field. 

She  playfully  said,  in  striving  to  impart  instruction  to  the  most 
ignorant  of  the  race,  she  was  daily  learning  something  new.  Even 
from  the  field  she  returned  wiser ;  there  she  learned  how  to  plant 
cotton — to  raise  tobacco,  and  to  grow  corn.  At  the  quarters,  she 
learned  to  spin,  to  weave,  and  to  make  hoe  cake.  Yea,  more,  to 
eat  a  piece  with  a  slip  of  bacon  after  her  morning  ride,  ere  return- 
ing to  a  late  dinner.  From  the  slaves  she  acquired  all  this  useful  in- 
formation. 

In  summer  it  was  her  delight  to  walk  into  the  cornfield  on  Monday 
morning,  and  meet  the  cheerful  black  faces  with  clean  white  cotton 
garments,  mingling  among  the  green  stalks  two  feet  high  or  more,  and 
to  be  so  pleasantly  greeted  by  the  slaves,  calling  to  each  other  "  our 
lady  has  come.  (Dh,  missee  look  so  well."  In  the  woods  on  horseliack, 
or  rambling  on  foot  in  their  midst,  she  was  a  stranger  to  fear. 

A  very  fatal  fever  prevailed  among  the  slaves  in  this  region,  one 


308  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

season,  and  many  fell  victims  on  neighboring  plantations — only  three 
of  her  patients  died  with  the  epidemic. 

Though  her  task  was  arduous,  it  was  her  peculiar  characteristic  to 
fit  herself  for  any  station  in  which  it  pleased  God  to  call  her. 

Mrs.  B.  might  truly  be  called  a  pilgrim  of  the  world — having  re- 
sided in  the  thirteen  old  States,  besides  Nova  Scotia  in  its  primitive 
days — and  having  passed  through  so  many  vicissitudes  in  life.  It 
may  be  regretted  that  the  preceding  facts  have  not  been  more  skill- 
fully described.  But  it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  those  incidents 
of  other  days  are  gleanings  of  memory  that  come  "  like  a  shock  of 
corn  in  season." 

In  her  adventurous  wanderings  many  sorrows  crossed  her  path — 
adverse  events  bowed  her  low — anticipated  ills,  that  make  up  a  portion 
of  life's  wges,  never  were  mingled  in  her  cup — but  a  cheerful  temper- 
ament gilded  all  her  hoj^es,  and  lured  her  to  the  bright  side  of  the 
future,  to  extract  some  sweets  from  every  bitter  portion, 

A  sane  mind,  trained  in  religious  ways,  was  an  endowment  that 
filled  her  heart  with  gratitude  for  every  blessing — strewed  her  path- 
way with  content,  and  taught  her  to  believe  that  the  Almighty  Dis- 
poser of  events  dispenses  happiness  more  equally  than  man  is  willing 
to  acknowledge, 


CONCLUSION. 


Having  thus  far  completed  my  intended  narrative  on  "  The  Remi- 
niscences of  Wilmington,"  I  commit  it  to  my  friends,  to  whom  it  has 
been  addressed. 

I  own  I  am  much  gratified  in  having  been  able  to  preserve  those 
incidents,  some  of  which  are  traditionary,  but  many  of  them  are — to 
adapt  a  poetical  description — 

"  All  that  I  saw,  and  part  of  which  I  was, 
A  forest  land  become  a  peopled  place — " 

during  my  long  residence  in  my  native  city — and  I  transmit  them  to 
you,  as  those  of  practical  experience  in  the  course  of  our  history, 

\VTien  these  occurrences  are  adverted  to,  we  may  almost  conclude 
they  have  been  singularly  numerous  and  interesting,  and  perhaps  such 
a  conclusion  is  not  without  reason. 

The  village  of  Wilmington  had  always  been  a  favorite  and  an 
agreeable  residence,  from  its  locality  and  its  aspect ;  and  being  at  a 
kind  of  middle  limit  of  our  northern  and  southern  country,  witli  u 
foreign  intercourse  of  no  inconsiderable  extent,  it  obtained  a  popula- 
tion of  interest  more  diversified  than  the  usual  average  of  our  settle- 
ments. 

Being  also  surrounded  by  a  fine  district  of  country,  and  originally 
settled  by  a  people  of  plain  manners,  and  great  integrity  of  character, 
it  has  afforded  every  accommodation  without  the  larger  expense,  pre- 
tension, and  embarrassment  of  some  of  the  greater  cities,  in  conse- 
quence of  which  a  higher  degree  of  social)ility  and  confidence  has 
attended  a  general  intercourse  among  those  persons  who  were  entitled 
to  enjoy  it. 

It  is  a  very  striking  fact  in  the  settlement  of  various  parts  of  this 
country,  that  an  impression  of  the  character  of  many^of  the  colonists 
continues  to  influence,  with  great  advantage,  the  conduct  and  manners 
of  their  descendants. 

Foreigners  from  abroad  have  observed  Wilmington  to  be  tlie  wel- 

309 


310  Reminiscences  of  Wilmington. 

come  home  of  the  emigrant,  the  exile,  and  the  stranger,  and  from 
these,  as  well  as  from  its  own  citizens,  many  rising  characters  have 
appeared  on  an  extensive  arena  in  the  annals  of  our  general  history. 

The  neighborhood  has  also  l)een  the  seat  of  successful  industry  to 
persons  who  have  chosen  to  engage  in  several  of  the  domestic  manu- 
factures and  improvements,  honorably  to  themselves  and  usefully  to 
the  community. 

Yet  the  incidents  which  are  thus  brought  up  to  our  time,  are  by 
no  means  so  terminated  as  to  cease  in  interest — and  if  in  former  life 
the  author  has  led  the  way  to  the  instruction  of  others  who  may 
kindly  preserve  her  in  remembrance,  she  hopes  she  may  now  induce 
them  to  continue  the  same  kind  of  local  history,  for  it  will  increase  in 
importance  with  the  general  increase  of  our  country. 

As  it  regards  herself — she  considers  she  is  justified  in  her  labors — 
for  there  is  before  her  the  emphatic  language  of  Scripture — 

"  In  the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withhold  not 
thine  hand,  for  thou  knowest  not  which  of  these  may  prosper." 

ELIZABETH  MONTGOMERY. 

Wilmington,  Delaware,  May  2dith,  1851. 


THE   END. 


MAElflM  mmK^tQm,  VXBO.  F.  B06Sik. 


JOKHSTQW  (&  BUQIJL, 


WILMINGTON,  DEL. 


AND 


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